BUTTER AND CHEESE

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12090, 26 June 1920, Page 5

BUTTER AND CHEESE

N.Z. FARMERS’ DECISION CRITICISED

United Press Association By Elec trie Telegraph—Copyright Received June 36, 10 a m London, June 25

The decision of the New Zealand farmers to distribute butter and cheese through the British Wholesale Co-operative Society has disagreeably shocked Tooley Street, who admit that the decision seriously affects them. The agents declare that it is a poor reward for years devoted to popularising New Zeaand dairy produce. However it was not altogether unexpected. The agents add that the New Zealand socialistic trend predisposed farmers to accept the offer •of a supposedly socialistic British organisation, but the agents declare that the farmers will find co-operative distribution very different from Government ’'control and not a substitute for it. It is a basic principle of a co-operative society to buy in the cheapest possible market and enable its own shops to compete with private retailers, an<i this in the long run is bound to conflict with the farmers’ object of getting the best price. The step means that the farmer is placing himself in the handi of one buyer controlling only one-tenth of the total trade of the country. It also means that New Zealand butter will lose the, old markets as the Cooperative Society at present largely sells Danish. Private retailers will refuse to sell New Zealand owing to their antagonism to the Co-operative. They will be able to get more Danish and sell it in competition with New Zealand. The agents, however, do not contemplate counter action. They say the New Zealand farmer is free to sell as ho chooses and they are confident that experience will show the wisdom of the old policy of trusting to private tradars. Some agents point out that Ministerial replies cabled on 16th and 21st June indicate that theie is no immediate danger and they believe a new situation may arise before the trade is decontrolled