THE PRICE OF BUTTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16121, 9 July 1914, Page 8

THE PRICE OF BUTTER

EXPORT DUTY QUESTION.

MR MASSEY'S DISAPPROVAL.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, July 8. The question of whether an export duty should not bo placed upon such articles of common consumption as butter was broached by the deputation of timber workers when interviewing the Prime Minister to-day. It was complained that New Zealand butter was often sold in London for less than had to be paid for it here..

In his reply the Prime Minister said that he could not encourage the idea, that an export duty should bo imposed on certain commodities. They had to be very careful not to reduce the volume of our exports, because a reduction would mean that less money would be coming into the country, and this would cause the whole community to suffer. It certainly did appear from the cabled reports that butter was often selling in London at a less price than it could be purchased for here, but the comparison was not a fair one, in that the price quoted in London was the wholesale price at which butter was sold by the hundredweight. It was not fair to compare that with the retail price per lb here. It was true that butter had been too dear here, especially during last winter, but- that was caused by the failure of supplies at the end of the last dairying season. Owing to a drought and to the export of so much butter sufficient was not left in the country to meet local requirements. He was opposed to any combination to put up the price of butter or any other article, and if any legislation should be necessary to prevent anything of the sort he would be willing to introduce and support it.