THE ENGLISH BUTTER MARKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13095, 7 February 1906, Page 6

THE ENGLISH BUTTER MARKET.

RECENT FALL IN PRICE EXPLAINED.

[BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION'.]

Wellington, Tuesday. Referring to the High Commissioner's cablegram regarding the fall in the price of butter, Mr. Shirtcliffe, resident partner of A. S. Paterson and Co., said this could not be looked upon as altogether unexpected, because we were now getting on towards the end of the season. The butter market was at its highest at Home at about Christmas time (mid-winter), and we should naturally look for lowering prices from now forward, but he did not anticipate any further serious decline. It had to be especially born© in mind in reading the High Commissioner's report that the late price which ruled for our butter (118s per cwt) was an abnormally high price. From particulars which he had gathered from records of Mr. Reeves' reports kept in the office of the Department of Industries and Commerce, Mr. Shirtcliffe found the following 'interesting comparisons, which go to show that to-day's prices still keep well ahead of those recorded at similar periods in previous years. The following are the prices of New "Zealand butter in London at (a) about Christmas time and (b) from the early part to the middle of February:— (a), 100s per cwt; (b), 97s per cwt. 1904-5: 10Os and 102s. 1905-6: 116s and 106s. Mr. Shirtcliffe concluded his interview with this pertinent question: Why has our butter been so high this year compared with the two preceding years if effects of_ adulteration are so disastrous as they have been alleged to be? Another butter expert expresses no alarm at* the fall in prices, and says the fluctuations at this time of the year, must be looked for. He, too, expresses no fear of "faking" having a _ disastrous result for the New Zealand article.