PRICE OF BUTTER.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 700, 9 May 1916, Page 11

PRICE OF BUTTER.

.■■■■-.-. ■ ■ .Q-.-. ■ i GOVERNMENT TO TAKE ACTION. PROHIBITION OF EXPORT PROBABLE. (Special to The Sun.J WELLINGTON, May 8. Rumours of an impending increase in the price of butter have been current lateh r . The Prime Minister indicated some time ago that he would not view with favour an addition to the already high price charged to local consumers, and it is understood that the Government intends taking action in the matter in the immediate future. Probably action will have (he form of a prohibition on the export of butter except by consent of the Minister of Customs. There are some 90,000 boxes of butter in store within New Zealand at the present time, and the holders are experiencing difficulty in making arrangements to get the butter on the London market. Much of it probably will be unable to leave the Dominion for many weeks to come. The Government is not likely, in view of the high rates ruling in London, to force down the present local price of 1/5 and 1/6 per lb, but the regulation of export by the Minister of Customs will enable it to indicate be holders that the local price must not rise further.