BUTTER EXPORTS.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13739, 3 June 1913, Page 6

BUTTER EXPORTS.

CURIOUS POSITION IN WELLING-! TON.

[United Pbess Association.]

; /Wellington* June 2. A rather curious ■ position has arisen in connection with the export of butter from the Wellington province. The Dairy Produce Committee of tho Chambor of Commerce has had the subject under consideration, and at today's meeting Mr J. B. McEwan made an interesting statement.. He said that dairy exporters were in a difficult position. Formerly the National Dairy Association had been a representative educative, body which mot to fight for the interests of the exporters generally. Some years ago, howover, the National Dairy Association became a trading body, competing with other exporters. As such it had entered into a contract with the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company and the New Zealand Shipping Company for the export of its dairy produce. It was manifestly unfair to other exporters, and vhat was worse, tho latter had just been informed unofficially that a new contract for five years had been entored into :by the Association. Naturally the Association could use the contract to attract business, and1 in other ways the position favoured the Association as against other exporters, although the latter paid the same freights. The exporters did not sec wby one firm should have such a preference. It could go to the dairy factories and say "We have the contract and we can treat you bettor than. others can." Other exporters had just sent out a circular letter to the factories pointing out the position. Mr C. W. Jones said that ho did not think the matter was one for the Chamber. It was rather a matter for the rival companies. Mr McEwan: I don't think so. Surely a matter affecting exporters who aio members of the Chamber is a matter for that Chamber to deal with, and help if it can. It was resolved that a sub-commit-tee should be set up to report upon the matter. None of the members of the committee are interested either in slipping or butter export.