Buffer and Butter-fat

Manawatu Times, Volume LIX, Issue 7460, 10 May 1934, Page 6

Buffer and Butter-fat

(To the Editor.) Sir, —I have read many letters in the Press regarding the price ol' but-ter-fat received by the farmers, and they claim a losing proposition all round. Why the retail price of butter ranges from 13d. per pound in Foilding down to 10d. in other largo centres is a conundrum to me. Why this great difference of 25 per cent. 1 ! Surely a proof positive of prolitccring in Foilding, or a lack of business methods elsewhere. Farmers’ representatives are appealing to the Government for a bounty on a price returned to suppliers at (id. per pound. Now look at this. Thirteen pence paid by the consumer to the retailer in Foilding. One pound of but-ter-fat makes one and a quarter pounds of butter (water, salt, casein, etc.). This makes 16d. the people pay the retailer per pound. Can you tell me, Mr. Editor, who gets this profit of lOd. per pound between the supplier nt Gd. per pound of butter-fat to the factory and the ltid. paid the retailer (over 15 per cent.)? Butter is retailed in England at !)d. per pound. Add the exchange, 25 per cent. ,nnd the 25 per cent, of butter from butter-fat- over the pound, and the retailer gets 13{.d. per pound. Another point to be noted: The dairyfarmer gets his butter from the factory at Bd. per pound for his own home use, and this is 60 per cent, less than the public pay the storekeeper. Why have the consumers of this district to pay 25 per cent, more than some centres, considering Foilding is in the centre of the best dairy land in New Zealand and adjacent, to the several factories surrounding it? Wo have heard of complaints from companies in this district because butter was sent hero for sale from long distances, and it is to be hoped that the huge profits will attract- them again. At 3d. per pound difference —£28 per ton —there is a great, inducement.—l am, etc., “UNEMPLOYED.” Feilding, May S.