THE PRICE OF BUTTER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144670, 3 May 1915, Page 4

THE PRICE OF BUTTER.

EXPORT TO BE LIMITED. PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, May ‘2. The retail price of butter ill Wellington Ims been raised one penny, to Is 7d. The figures of butter in cool store on April 30 .show a shortage of 25.200 boxes compared with last year. It is understood that steps arc to be taken by the Government at once to prevent the indiscriminate export of butter from New Zealand, in view of an insufficient quantity for New Zealand consumption being in sight. "It has oomo to tlie knowledge of the Government,” said tile Prime Minister to a reporter, “that butter which is being exported from Now Zealand to the Commonwealth is being used by Australian merchants to fulfil contracts made with •lava and other places, and the Government is issuing it proclamation immediately, providing that in future butter may be exported from Now Zealand only with the consent of the Minister of Customs. Tins will prevent such transactions as 1 have referred to being carried on at a time of scarcity like this. I am advised that the supply of butter in sight in the Dominion is lower than usual, but if it were not for the shortage in Australia the shortage would not be so acute. The production of butter in the south is being reduced by the cold weather having set in rather early this year, but in Taranaki and Auckland I believe that good results are being obtained. Information I have from the Agricultural Department is to the effect that a number of small farmers, instead of following the usual practice of allowing their dairy cows to go dry during the cold months, intend to make butter right through tlie winter. Supplies from tills source, if they prove to be considerable, should relieve the shortage now anticipated in the winter months.”