BUTTER BOX SUPPLIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22444, 13 June 1936, Page 18

BUTTER BOX SUPPLIES

DELAY IN PLACING ORDERS STATEMENT BY MINISTER [nv TELKCKAI'II —SI'KCIAL It KPORTKII] WELLINGTON, Friday Delay by butter manufacturing companies in ordering supplies of butter boxes for the new season's output is causing some apprehension among sawmillers and box makers, according to a statement made to-day bv the Minister of Marketing. Hon. W. Nash. " There are ample supplies of white pine.'' the Minister said, " but time is required to cut and season the timber. The sawmillers are not in a position to out the timber info the required sizes until they know the needs of tho box making companies. The box makers cannot order except in limited quantities until tho dairy factory companies have placed their orders for boxes. " The attention of the dairy factories was drawn to this matter earlier in the month and the necessity of placinu orders immediately was stressed. Assurances were given fo the Government by the Now Zealand Sawmillers' Federation and the New Zealand Boxmakers' Association that if factories would order without delay adequate supplies of boxes could ho guaranteed. However, reports obtained from box making companies indicate that factory orders are coining forward only slowly. In some cases dairy factories have given as a reason for not ordering tho fact that they are disinclined to do so until they know what tho prices of boxes ui]| be. " The Government has arranged for the Department of Industries and Com-

merce to make an investigation intc tiic costs of timber production and box manufacturing and all prices will he subject to adjustment when the department's report is received. There need be no hesitancy on the part- of the dairy factories in placing their orders lor boxes without further delay. In fact, it they do not do so promptly there will be a shortage. " I know that directors of dairy factories will realise their responsibility to ensure that an adequate supply of boxes is available." the .Minister concluded. •' and 1 trust that they will accept this responsibility by placing orders at once lor thfir full requirements."