PRICE OF BUTTER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7869, 3 August 1911, Page 8

PRICE OF BUTTER

DISCUSSED BY SOUTH ISLAND DAIRY ASSOCIATION. fEEB3 ASSOCIATION. DUNEDIN, August 2.

A large number of farmers, members of the South Island Dairy' Association, met in conference this morning under the presidency of Mr John Gray, of Mataura.

-The most important topic of discussion was that concerning the effort made hi the last year or two. by the association to concentrate the method of disposing of dairy produce in England by inducing all factories to put their supplies in the hands of the association, whose sales have been conducted by four non-speculating agents up to the present time, when the number has been raised to five.

It was mentioned that the price for the sale of butter, fixed by the association at 4Jd. was defeated through advances without recourse early in the season at 5Jd, though later on sid was obtained.

Air Gray said that at. the North Island Conference there had been some private discussion on the disposal of produce, and though the North were not eye to eye with the South, they agreed upon the necessity of concentre tion. "What Was wanted now was for every factory to do its business through the association.

Mr Lumsdcn (Drummond) referred to the manipulation of the cheese market’ at Home, and suggested, that they should give their agents absolute control to work in their interests.

Mr Winning (Mataufa) suggested that the association should ; be appointed agents for firms who were acting as the association’s sellers at Home.

Mr Bolt remarked that no factory should be selling- at the beginning of the season, because that tended to fix the top price for the lot. If the factories, before selling, would consult the secretary as to a fair basis, that would bring about the principle of cooperation for which they were working. Mr Patton (Gore) said the price of cheeso this season rose to 625, and then fell to 56s or 57s just as the Canadian product was coming forward, showing that the market had been manipulated by firms for their own benefit. He had heard that this combination had control,of practically two-thirds of the output of the Dominion, Mr Fowler ,(Ryal Bush) said he believed they would prefer to sell at the beginning,of the season. If the association could.get fair prices he favoured the sale, and would willingly place his output in the hands of the association for sale; and if the association were prepared to receive orders he would trust them for the price. The secretary, Mr J. 11. Scott, spoke against the use of unseasoned timber for:cases, and went on to say that he intended to have weekly shipments from the Bluff during November and December. He thought there would be very liigh prices for butter and cheese this year, but he was of the opinion that they should not do anything in this market till well on in October.