PRICE OF BUTTER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 13 May 1944, Page 4

PRICE OF BUTTER

INCREASE SUGGESTED TO HELP FARMERS GOVERNMENT OPPOSITION Dunedin, May 11. "Has the Dairy Board made any representations to the Government regarding the price charged on the local market for butter?” asked Mr W. G. Wight at the Dunedin ward conference of the Dairy Board to-day. He added that the price had remained at the same level since 1938. and it seemed only reasonable that the people should do something to assist in meeting the extra costs that dairy producers had now to bear. Mr Wight added that it was estimated that an increase of 3d per lb would make available to the industry some £580.000 a year, which would be a big help to the producer. The chairman, Mr L. Dunlop, who is a board member for the South Island, said he agreed that the consumer should pay more for butter, but it was the Government's policy to get primary products as cheaply as it could. If an increase were made the stabilisation plan would come into the picture, and the consumer would have to be subsidised. Mr Wight; The Government ignores the question of stabilisation when it suits it to do so. The increase would amount to only a week a person. Mr W. E. Hale, chairman of the Dairy Board, said that when the question was raised with the Government it replied that the price of pf-imary products was the basis on which the cost of living depended.