REPERCUSSIONS FROM DANISH TALK WITH BRITAIN ON BUTTER

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 November 1950, Page 5

REPERCUSSIONS FROM DANISH TALK WITH BRITAIN ON BUTTER

LONDON, Nov 7 (Recd 6 pm).—The rationing of butter is to end in Denmark from tomorrow. The Danish Government was recently defeated by a vote of no confidence in a debate on the Opposition’s demand for the abolition of butter and margarine rationing as soon as possible, and Cabinet resigned. It is pointed out by the trade magazine “The Grocer,” the dispute arose mainly, if not entirely, through failure of the recent Danish trade delegation to London to procure from the Ministry of Food a rise in the contract price of Danish butter shipped to Britain. The Danes thereupon decided to export butter to countries other than Britain, to manufacture more cheese and develop production of milk powder—all for’ export. “The Grocer” remarks that in allowing the talks on butter to break down the Ministry of Food may have, for the time being, saved Britain additional expenditure of just over 12,000,000 on food subsidies, but it remains to be seen whether the saving will ultimately prove a blessing. The Danes will continue to press for price revision, and it is understood that for the time being will reduce butter supplies by some 30,000 tons or 10 per cent, of Britain's total imports last year. “The Grocer” comments: “To Denmark this upheaval in their trade relations is a more serious matter. Britain has enjoyed a tremendous amount of goodwill there since the end of the war, and there is no country which would be more pro-British. It would be a pity if those sentiments were affected now by the Minister’s buying policy.’—Special N.Z.P.A. Correspondent.