DUTY ON BUTTER

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10722, 24 December 1927, Page 6

DUTY ON BUTTER

EFFECT IN NEW ZEALAND. Electric Telegrapn- —Press Association SYDNEY. December 23. According to the “Daily Telegraph,” a stalemate lias been reached in the Federal Government’s negotiations with New Zealand in connection with tlie increased Customs duty in butter. Some weeks ago the Federal authorities asked the New Zealand Government to concur in increased duties. New Zealand objected. and demanded the full siy months’ notice according to the tariff agreement. The Federal Government, having granted a similar concession to New Zealand in regard to wheat and flour, were optimistic that the six months’ notice would he-waived in regret to dairy produce, enabling the new duties to operate from January 1. A proposal that two Federal Ministers should proceed to New Zealand to place the position Before the Prime Minister with a view to securing a compromise, is being consderecl. It was in anticipation of the full duty coming into operation at the beginning of the year that the Stabilisation" Committee raised the export bounty under the Paterson scheme from 3d to 4d per lb as from December. 12. While New Zealand butter is admitted here on 3d per lb duty. the Australian price for local consumption cannot he stabilised at a rate that would yield producers an adequate return, to secure which the organisations of the dairy industry have been working. For the time being the position as it affects the Australian dairyman, and the prices he receives for his product, is uncertain.