OUR LONDON LETTER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8864, 25 October 1907, Page 3

OUR LONDON LETTER.

From Our Own Correspondent. LONDON, September 12. In a former letter I expressed the opinion that, notwithstanding the doubtful outlook at that time, and the uncertain opinions of the press, the New Zealand Government would prevail in the matter of strikes. The daily press over here comment strongly on the success which has attended the efforts of the Government in Uiis direction. The Tribune, the Liberal paper, has the following remarks: —"Compulsory arbitration has certainly been carried.to a thorough length, when the New Zealand Court of Appeal decides that a striker, since by striking he is defying the arbitration award, may be fined and sent to prison for as much as twelve months in default of payment. If this decision is quietly accepted by public opinion, it follows that the possibility of strikes and lock-outs (since an employer, presumably, could be similarly punished) is at an end." The London forward buyers of New Zealand butter, says a well-in-formed weekly contemporary, seem to think that 98s to 100s per cwt c.i.f. London, represents the proper figure to fix for the coming season for contracts. We hear of one large firm going as high as IOJd per lb f.0.b., but this is considered an extravagant price. The Australian forward prices ai'e yet unfixed. No doubt the 1907-1908 season will be largely a consignment one, as English buyers will not be prepared to take on more than a limited quantity, at least, at prices which will please producers. Parcels of cheese still arrive from Australia. The Buteshire recently brought some from New South Wales; the Kumeraka factory shipment was well reported •on by Tooley Street. The dairy show will soon be coming along; we hear that New Zealand butter will be combating this year. many years past New Zealand has not been a ■competitor, owing to the difficulty of ;gitting fresh butter here in October. f yAn important Dairy Congress will % held at The Hague from September 15th to SJOth. The High Commissioner for New Zealand and the Australian Agents-General are members of the British Committee. The subjects for discussion are most varied . and important. It is to be hoped that some pressure will be brought to bear upon the Dutch Government to fL put a stop to the 'objectionable pracK tice in Holland of faking butter for export. Colonial butter has often been victimised in this way. There is shortly to be held at Ash/ford, Kent, the annual ram show and ;sale. The Council have asked two .New Zealand gentlemen, Mr C. Elgar ■ and Mr Murray, to act as judges in the special class for tht best wool .ram. These Kent and Romney Marsh .sheep are much in favour in your 'dominion with breeders.