BUTTER AND CHEESE MARKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 3098, 30 July 1913, Page 20

BUTTER AND CHEESE MARKET.

CHEESE MARKET. FURTHER ADVANCE IN PRICE. Mr J. R. Scott, secretary of the South Island Dairy Association, reports that Homo buyers of outputs of cheese are still active, and that some big factories in Otago and Southland on July 23, disposed of the whole of their make from September to April inclusive at 64d per lb, on truck. Referring to the position in the North Island,, Mr Scott says he understands that the Kaupokonui and Mangatoki factories (each with an output of over 2000 tons) and some others have accepted an advance of per lb, f.0.b., without recourse. WEDDEL’S REVIEW. LONDON, July 24. Weddel’s annual review states that there is no denying that the quality of Australian butter is not so good as it was the previous season. There seems to have been a steady decline in the quality of the hulk of Australian Some factories keep up their high reputations, but all wellwishers of Australia regret the absence of a general high standard of quality and the promise of increasing excellence that characterised the imports of a few years ago. New Zealand butter has fully maintained the progress recorded a year ago. There is not, however, the same proportion of choicest exported, and it is suspected that this is duo to the increasing use of private separators and milking machines. A BUTTER RING. FURTHER RISE PREDICTED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 23. Rutter and its present high price were tlie subject of some discussion in the House to-day. In the course of the debate Mr Russell predicted that in the near future, because of the export commitments made, the price of butter here would rise to Is 6d per lb. The first mention was made by Mr C. K. Wilson, who inquired if the Government would add butter to the schedule of “ The Commercial Trusts Act, 1910.” The Prime Minister’s reply was as follows : “ The Government is not aware of a trust operating in Ihc butter trade. The present high price in the dominion appears to be due to the comparatively small quantitj' in cold storage, there being only 24,231 boxes on July 15, as against 37,374 on the same date last year. If the honourable member will supply evidence of trust methods in this connection with matter of including butter in the schedule of the Act will receive careful considerat ion. ’ ’ Later in the evening the Commercial Trusts Amendment Rill (-Mr Payne) was under discussion. This measure aimed at adding bacon, butter, cheese, milk, and eggs to the schedule of ‘‘The Commercial Trusts Act, 1910.” In supporting it Mr Russell said there might be a butter famine in the near future. At present the price was Is 6d per lb, and be understood that the export commitments were so heavy that in the next few months the price would be found to go Is 6d per lb. He remembered the time when butter was sold at 5d per lb. Mr Okey : Would you like that again? Mr Russell: No. I realise that the exnort of butter has raised the price just as the export of mutton has raised the price of meat. At the same time mem-

bers would realise that it came “mighty hard” on comparatively poor men to find the price of an article like butter going to Is 6d per lb. as it probably would in the near future. Mr Russel! concluded by urging that the House should have a speedy opportunity of thoroughly discussing the cost of living. Sir Waiter Buchanan said that in Vancouver, which he recently visited, the price of butter was as high as 2s a pound. A great deal of the butter sold there came from New Zealand, and with a market like that so close to the dominion it was natural that prices here would rise. On the basis of his trip round the world he would say that the cost of living in New Zealand compared very favourably with that of anv other country.