THE CHEESE OUTPUT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17067, 27 July 1917, Page 5

THE CHEESE OUTPUT

QUESTION OF PRICE. DEPUTATION TO MB MASSEY. (Feom Otjb Own Coeeespokdent.) "WELLINGTON, July 26. A deputation of cheese producers waited on tho Prime Minister this morning to confer with him regarding tho price to be paid by the Imperial Government for the choeso output of the dominion. Mr Massey ia acting as a go-between, his business being to make an arrangement that will bo fair and acceptable both to tho farmers and the British, authorities.

Tho producers contend that they should receive the same amount for their cheese as was paid for Canadian cheese, less the duTerence m the freight charges between Britain and Canada (id per lb) and Britain and New Zealand (fd per lb). As far as can at present be ascertamed, it seems that the British Government is paying Hid per lb for Canadian cheese, but this fiffuro includes id per lb paid as commission, tho amount actually received by the fanner being 10|d per lb. Some members of the deputation thought that the commission paid m Canada ought not to be taken into account, and that the price paid to the Now Zealand farmer should bo pjfd, less the difference in freights. The deputation discussed tho prob am m a very reasonable spirit, and it should not bo difficult to reach an agreement satisfactory to both parties If tho price fixed is to be the amount actually received by the Canadian producer less the difference in freight, the New land farmer would get 10id per lb The price paid for last season's output was y4d. it is anticipated that the price this year will be at least 10d oleac. '•