PRICE OF BUTTER

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10965, 29 July 1921, Page 5

PRICE OF BUTTER

WILL IT ADVANCE ? WILL GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY TO PRODUCERS BE RENEWED? SITUATION TO BE REVIEWED. The price of butter on the English market is showing an upward tendency, and the butter-producers of the Dominion are taking steps to review the situation in New Zealand. At present the price of butter sold in the Dominion is controlled, and dn order, it is said, that the consumer may be able to secure his requirements at as low a figure as is possible, the Government is paying a subsidy. At the end of next month the Government subsidy expires, and if it- is not renewed it is fully anticipated that the price of butter will he increased. On August 10th delegates representing the various branches of the North and South Island Dairy Associations will hold a conference at "Wellington for the purpose of discussing the price of butter for the coming season.

It was explained to a “Times” Reporter that it is hoped the subsidy, if the Government intends to continue paying such _ for butter used for local consumption, will have to be increased in order to place the price to the producers on a parity with the advanced price which it is believed will rule for export trade. “Should the Government decide to discontinue the subsidy,’’ it was said, “it is certain that the preeent price of butter in New Zealand will advance, but to what extent will not be known until after the conference of the National Dairy Association.” FREIGHTS DISCUSSED. At the conference of representatives of the dairy interests throughout New Zealand, shipping companies, and exporting firms, which vas held in Wellington for the purpose of discussing freights on the new season’s exportation of butter, the conference did not gpt beyond the preliminary stages, as a considerable amount of information on the subject had to be gathered. In order that this may be done, the conference adjourned, and a further meeting will probably be held early next month, when the question of freights will be fully gone into.