BUTTER SHIPMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 18834, 29 May 1920, Page 5

BUTTER SHIPMENTS

FALLING OFF TUTS YEAR. proseegt of cheaper supplies. (Special to the Times. i CHRISTCHURCH, May 28. The latest figures issued by the Govern meat Sralhtiruui regard in‘4’ the export of butter show a considerate:' f ll.ng off in the quant.it v eompared with the corresponding periods la=t year. During Mutch last 35,0-11 cwt, compared with 108,311 cwt in March 15)19. was sent away. For the three months ended March 31, 1320, the quantity exported was 170 402 cwt as against 214,037 cwt for the corresponding period in 1919, and there were 319,253 cwt shipped for the twelve months ended March 31, 1020, compared with 429(127 cwt in the preceding twelve months. Under the circumstances it seems quite po.-sihle that there may be a fair carry over at the beginning of the new season. In view of the fact that higher prices for butter are likely to he obtained on the Home market next season those figures are significant. Although nothing has definitely been announced it is thought possible by men in the trade that the Government will arrange that any carry over shall be kept for consumption in the Dominion. Vtis would mean that the old stocks acquired at a lower price for butter fat than is likely to be paid next season could be sold at a lesser rate than the new butter. The quality of the old stock may not be as good as the new season’s, but it could be sold as a second-grade butter. In pre-war days a second-grade butter used to be sold by the factories.