THE PRICE OF BUTTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22544, 11 April 1935, Page 15

THE PRICE OF BUTTER

TO THE EDITOR Sir, —In a letter in this morning’s issue “ Strawberry No, 2 ” gives some very interesting figures as to what the farmers get for butterfat and milk. If your correspondent’s figures are correct the consumer js paying too much for his butter and milk. New Zealand butter is at present selling in England at 8d a lb wholesale, and lid a lb retail. The local price is Is Id wholesale and Is 2d retail. These prices show that the local factories are having a great time at the expense of the consumer. “ Strawberry No. 2 ” gives the price of milk at 6d a gallon wholesale, Is 8d retail. This shows that the milkman charges the consumer Is 2d a gallon delivery fee. No wonder the milkman is in favour of a drink-more-milk .campaign! “Strawberry No. 2” criticises the Government for restoring 5 per cent, of the cut to civil servants. The civil service did not get 5 per cent of the cut. restored; they received a 5 per cent, increase of salary, which is a diffor-

ent thing. What the 5 per cent, increase cost the Government I do not know; but I have heard that the exchange rate, which is more or less a bonus to farmers, is costing the taxpayers a few millions a year. In conclusion it might interest “ Strawberry No. 2 ” to kpow that there are thousands of people in the towns who would be only too pleased to eat twice as much butter, and pay the farmers a bonus as well if their purchasing power permitted them to do so. At present, owing to low wages, there are hundreds like myself forced to eat bread and jam and even bread and fat.— I am, etc., P. A. G, April 9.