THE BUTTER POSITION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21948, 9 May 1933, Page 8

THE BUTTER POSITION

MR COATES'S STATEMENT "CAME AS GREAT SHOCK" COMMENT BY MR DYNES FULTON (Per United Press Association.) HAMILTON, May 8. Replying to Mr Coates's statement regarding butter restrictions, Mr J. D; ;es Fulton, acting chairman of the Dairy Board, stated in an interview with the Waikato Times that it came as a great shock, as he had indicated to Mr Coatcs at a recent conference with him that the question was finished. In view of the Ottawa agreement,, the industry had rojected restrictions and so had Australia, notwithstanding the fact that they would not be affected to the same extent as New Zealand—they opposed it on principle. In view of the decision reached and the fact that butter had risen to 80s per cwt, one wondered, Mr Fulton • said, why Mr Coates had made such a statement at this particular time. Mr Coates was fully conversant with the position, and one would have expected that he would have made his statement hef' -e the delegation left f6r Australia. Mr Fulton contended that the publication of Mr Coates's statement might be the means, of further agitation by those favouring restrictions. He felt confident that the producers would strenuously resent interference by the Government in an industry which, it was obvious, it knew nothing about. Mr Coates had scathingly commented on cheese quality, but the Government could have given greater assistance to the industry.

If Mr Coates could forecast future restrictions why was he proceeding with the small farm scheme and a policy of generally increasing production? Mr Fulton was optimistic enough to feel that, after the World Conference was over and a world adjustment of finance took place, improvements could be expected.