FREE MARKET FOR BUTTER.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 August 1921, Page 4

FREE MARKET FOR BUTTER.

SUBSIDY CEASES THIS MONTH. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. PROTECTING THE CONSUMERS. By Telegraph —Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Minister of Agriculture attended a conference at Wellington on Wednesday of representatives of butter manufacturers throughout the Dominion and the Director-General of Agriculture and the Controller of the Imperial Supplies Department were also present. A general discussion took place on all aspects of the question of the local butter supplies, together with various points in connection with the arrangements at present in force on these points. The Minister stated to-day that a satisfactory agreement had been arrived at in reference to local butter supplies after the present price fixing agreement terminates on the 31st instant, and the Minister finally announced that from September 1 the subsidy , to keep the retail prices at their present level would cease and butter factories would be given a free market. He made it clear that the present financial position was such that the continuance of the subsidy was entirely unwarrantable and the local prices must find their own level. It was necessary, however, for factories to sell at no more than a fair and proper price, having regard to current market values. As regards retail price* to the public as compared with the wholesale values the Minister said that mattei would receive attention, especially ie view of what happened on a previous occasion. This announcement met with the approval of the dairy factory representatives, who themselves desired open mar ket conditions. They expressed then intention to do their best to aid in mak ing the new order of things work smoothly in the interests of the con sumers. LONDON BUYERS WITHDRAW. Wellington, Allgust 11. Acting on cables from London buyer* of the season’s output of cheese have withdrawn. Heavy rains in the nortl of Europe, accumulated shipments 0! New Zealand and Canadian cheese, anc the drop in the prices of cheese general ly. are offered as explanations for ih< withdrawal of buyers.