THE PRICE OF BUTTER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 109, 29 June 1911, Page 8

THE PRICE OF BUTTER.

Interviewed in Auckland on the present position of the butter market, tho secretary of the Non - Zealand Dairy Association said that it was a matter of regret that high pi ices ruled for butter, in that the circumstances which had caused these bigli prices ware unfortunate for the consumer and no advantage to the r.rodncM. These circumstances were, however, beyond human control. The absence of rain during the past autumn had caused the dairy farmers of New Zealand a loss of at least £325,1:00. The fact of supplies being seriously curtailed had also increased the pro rata cost of making butter considerably, so that present prices cb'c- not ovtn pay for, much less give a profit upon, the butter which was now ,cing manufactured. Although prices were high at the present time they did not give a profit to anyone, owing io the larger proportion of the cost of labour, etc., in producing tho commodity. In answer to a question as to whether there was any brganisation in New Zealand for regulating the price of,butter, the secretary replied that' as far as Auckland and Wellington ivere concerned where vris certainly not any such organisation, and that unfettered competition had lioen usually keen between tho Several competing companies. , Owing to the short supplies merchants woiV.lt’'present not looking for now business," but they were naturally anxious to maintain their present commotions.