MILK PRICES REMAIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 947, 14 April 1930, Page 10

MILK PRICES REMAIN

Uf$ER-CUTTING PREVALENT / MORE MILK ON HAND 'Owing to tue keen competition, due to abnormal conditions in the trade, the usual seasonal increase in the price of milk has been deferred for at least three weeks, so far as the Auckland Milk-Vendors’ Association is concerned. One of the largest milk distributors increased the retail price of its milk on April 4 from 6d to 6£d a quart, and this change remains effective, but as yet the other vendors are taking no action. It was decided at a meeting of the association, held last month, to defer the increase in price, and again last week another meeting was held, but it was adjourned for a further three weeks without any definite decision being reached. Under ordinary circumstances the price of milk is raised a Id a quart in January, when the flush of the season is over. This year, however, owing to a good season with increased production and low export prices for butter-fat, there has been an over-supply of milk. According to various vendors, undercutting in prices is prevalent, and this has been caused by low export prices, inducing farmers to enter the town supply. The undercutting was perhaps most noticeable in the trade with hotels and other large consumers, some of whom were getting their milk at Is 2d a gallon, which is equal to 3£d a quart.