POINTS OF VIEW

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3809, 16 September 1936, Page 5

POINTS OF VIEW

PRICE OF BREAD. Sir, —It is cheering news to read that butter fat is remaining in the vicinity of 120 s per cwt. In 1929 the value of this produce reached 183 s per cwt.; the lowest rate touched was 65s per cwt. in 1934. In these depression years, when metals and the like fell in price, production ceased or greatly decreased; but in his endeavour to keep a roof over his head, the New Zealand butter producer strained every nerve to keep up the supply. In reality, in 1929 the butter produced totalled 100,000 tons; five years later just upon 162, 000 tons were produced; and this at a time when the price was at its lowest and unpayable to a marked extent. It was an epoch-making event, especially when it is remembered that in 1929, 49,000 tons of butter were sufficient to pay New Zealand’s overseas interest, but in 1934, 107,000 tons of butter were confiscated for the identical purpose. And be it remembered the interest bill dropped from £8.000,000 to £7,000,000 in the same period, largely due to England foregoing the interest on the War Debt. The service the farmer wrought for New Zealand was a very meritorious one, not withstanding the army of unemployed. Mr Savage and his party promised to retvard the farmer by introducing costless credit, thereby preventing such a crisis from ever again taking place. The eyes of the world are waiting for the fulfilment of the promise! Why the delay?—l am, etc., STRAWBERRY.