THE BUTTER SUPPLY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9755, 3 September 1917, Page 5

THE BUTTER SUPPLY

BRITAIN'S NEEDS

IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT MAT REQUISITION XT. Tho Prime Minister announced last night that lie had just received a cablegram from the High Commissioner, stating that the Imperial Government was considering the question ot requisitioning butter for Imperial requirements in the same way as cheese. THE PRICE OF BUTTER FIXED PRICE OF Is 8d PER LBSTILL IN FORCE. The statement that tho wholesale price of butter in Wellington was raised on Saturday and that, the retail price was to be raised today was referred by a “limes representative yesterday to t&e Right Hon. W. P. Massey, the Ivlinistor-in-Chargo of the Board ot Trade. Mr Massey replied that it any attempt of the kind was made, tho Government would very quickly ueal with it. “While the butter-fat levy expired on Saturday,” he added, "tho fixed maximum price of Is 8d per lb still remains in force.” WHOLESALE PRICE. Tho wholesale price of butter is being advanced from to-day. The price that has been ruling of late T/as , , is B|d per pound, and from to-day the wholesale price will bo Is 6d per pound. CHEESE STOCKS ONLY SMALL QUANTITY DESTROYED. The rumour that has gained currency in some quarters that quantities of cheese in store had to bo destroyed through its deterioration is denied by the authorities, who state that only one case wa.s destroyed last week. Ihiring the wluile of last season the (juaniity of cheese that had to b© destroyed was very small considering the Tiugo qfuautity that was in store. It was true that shipments were away in overheated condition, # but it is confidently expected that with the advent of cool storage there will not be a recurrence this season of the trouble. Ail consignments of cheese is now put into a cool store at Auckland, Arrangements are being made for the storage of 100,000 at W ellingbon, cinder similar conditions, and for upwards of w),000 crates at Patea, stated a produce expert to a ''Times reporter when interviewed.