BUTTER PRICES UP.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18445, 31 March 1922, Page 3

BUTTER PRICES UP.

WHAT ARE THE REASONS? DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE ON CONTRIBUTORY CAUSES. GROWTH OF N.Z. EXPORTS. Interview by a “Times” representative with regard to the prevailing shortage of butter at Home, the Director of Agriculture stated that it is probably due to a number of causes among which are the following: — (1) Increased consumption, (2) shipments to the Continent, (3) Continental production not yet back to normal, (4) limitation of shipping space from Australia and New Zealand. “It is stated (added Dr. Reakes) that Australia is shipping apples in the space which might carry butter; and, were New Zealand not shipping so much meat more space would be available for butter, though each is understood to be getting its fair share of space. SUPPLIES FALLING OFF. “As compared with 1913, the following nations are supplying to the United Kingdom quantities of butter which are very much less than the quantities they supplied in prewar days:—Russia, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, and France. The imports of Irish butter into England are not indicated in the returns which we have received. This is doubtless owing to the fact that Ireland has hitherto been a portion of the United Kingdom, and the quantities of butter received from Ireland into England have not therefore been regarded as imports. During 1921 the United Kingdom’s imports from the following countries were as under: —Denmark, 1,250,176 cwt; Argentine, 401,354; New Zealand, 709,381; Australia, 928,006. DOMINION’S EXPORTS. “Our exports of butter to the United Kingdom have increased very materially during recent years. In 1913 the United Kingdom received from New Zealand 2 51,663 cwt. while in 1921 the amount received was 109,381 cwt. It cannot at present be determined what difference the improvement in the price of butter wil make to New Zealand. This will depend upon the quantity of our produce sold at the higher values; and this to a large extent depends on the length of time, and may also to some extent depend on the shipping space available. “The present price is, according to the Hight Commissioner’s cable up to 180 s per cwt. London buyers are offering in New Zealand prices for butter which suggest that present values are likely to be well maintained for the next three or four months.