BUTTER AND CHEESE PURCHASE.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1917, Page 3

BUTTER AND CHEESE PURCHASE.

THE QUESTION OP (PAYMENT. (From Our Own Correspondent). Wellington. Nov. 2f>. The delay that has taken place in the completion of the arrangements for tho. purchase of the output of cheese and butter by the Imperial authorities is due to the difficulty with regard to payment. The Imperial Imthorities. it seems, wish to pay for the produce f.0.b.. while the Government, acting in the interests of the producers, has been asking for advance payments on produce delivered into store. • The local banks are not willing to accept, increased liabilities under thi* heading, and presumably the Government will have to make some arrangement- for the producers. Mr. Massey has indicated already that the producers will receive advances in the event of their produce being delayed in store. The point would cease to be important if the cheering statement- made by the Prime Minister on the subject of shipping could he read as applying to the whole season. The position is that a very satisfactory supply of ships is promised for December t\nd the oarlv part of January. Rut, beyond that the information at present at the disposal of Ministers does not extend. It is certain that the transport, of thcyAmer.ican army and its munitions, supplies and reinforcements to Europe is going to place an enormous strain on the shipping remittees of the Allies. On the other hand, the Imperial authorities are showing an increased willingness tn listen sympathetically to Mr. Massey's representations.