Stabilising Butter Prices On the Local Market

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7032, 16 December 1932, Page 6

Stabilising Butter Prices On the Local Market

PRINCIPLE OP MR. SINCLAIR’S SCHEME SUPPORTED. The scheme put forward by Mr. A. J. Sinclair, secretary-manager of the To Awamutu Dairy Company, for the stabilisation of butter prices on the local market, was discussed by the Dairy Farmers ’ Union at its monthly meeting in Palmerston North yesterday. After briefly explaining the proposal, the chairman (Mr. N. Campbell) said he was of the opinion that the principle was sound. A similar scheme was in operation in this district, but unfortunately two companies would not cooperate and they could influence prices. He moved that the union support the scheme put forward by Mr. Sinclair and advise the Dominion executive of the Farmers' Union to this eifect. While agreeing that the principle of the scheme was sound, Mr. P .V. Koehler thought that the commissions suggested were too high. “The most that the fanner can hope for if the scheme is adopted," said Mr. H. Seifert, “is about an extra a pound, and to get that $d the farmer is going to puf; himself up against the rest of the community and givo them something to talk about —of the way that the farmer is robbing them." Mr. A. N. Morcom also disagreed with the proposal, saiyng that ho could not see No. 5 workers buying butter if the price went up to the figure suggested. The proposal was only playing with the situation; something more drastic than it was needed. Folio-wing further comment, the motion was amended to approvo of the scheme, provided that the distribution charges were reduced. In this stage it was carried, several members, however, expressing dissent.