THE ALLEGED BUTTER "RING."

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12765, 16 June 1911, Page 5

THE ALLEGED BUTTER "RING."

SHIPMENT OF BUTTER FROM

AUSTRALIA.

c ; (Per .Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June lo

The statement of certain dairy factory authorities that the retair price of butter would reach JL&,Cd per pound in ' the Dominion this winter owing to tho shortage of supplier '-caused.«rather,.-:a flutter > among some merchant firms who feared that there w-as a, "ring" ill operation to keep up tho price of this commodity. In view: of'the plentiful supplies reported in Australia, where first-grade butter dilririg the last few weeks has been selling on the local market at several pence per lb. cheaper than New Zealand manufactured-.but-ter, a local firm cabled an order to Sydney for supplies. The Moeraki on Wednesday brought over 100 cases, which are now placed in cold storage in Wellington with a view to the market hei'e being tested with New ISouth Wales butter.,.. The shipment is of the first grade, selling in Sydney at less than lid per lb. Butter of similar quality cannot be obtained from the v factories here under; Is Id. Adding flic 20 per cent, duty, the imported hotter can bo sold at Is 2d per lb. retail.

"I hear," remarked a city merchant to a "Times" reporter ■ to-day, "that the South Island market will be tested with a shipment of butter from Mell ourne, better steamship communication existing between the South with iNfelbourne than Sydney. The quality fir" the shipment, of New South Wales butter now in Wellington should convince people-tyho. talk a lot. that just as good butter can be manufactured in Australia as in New Zealand."

A deputation from the Wellington Trades' and. Labour Council will wait on the Hon. R. McKenzie. (actingMinister of Customs) to-morrow afternoon, with ai request that butter be brought-, within tho operations of, tho I'revcntion of Monopolies Act.