N.Z. BUTTER.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160712, 27 July 1920, Page 2

N.Z. BUTTER.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT. INCREASED PRICES T 6 BE PAID. (Per United Press Association.') WELLINGTON, July 26. Important telegrams have been received by the Prime Minister as to the disposal of butter for tho next export season. It appears from the text of the messages that New Zealand producers have no option about their produce for next season but to sell to tho Imperial Government. The price suggested means an over-the-couuter price in this country of from 2s 3d to 2s 5d per pound for butter. The following is the text of a telegram from tho Secretary of State to the Governor-General: “With reference to my telegram of June 19th, it is understood that negotiations have not yet resulted in an agreement as to tho disposal of next season’s butter output of New Zealand, and the Food Controller is anxious to arrange, if possible, to purchase the exportable surplus on terms similar to those now agreed to in the case of Australia from August Ist, 1920, to March 31st, 1921, namely, 240s per cwt. f.o.b. for butter graded 'OO points, with Is per cwt. additional for each point up to 95 inclusive. and Is per cwt. less for each point under 90 ” The following cablegram has been received from tho High Commissioner, London, dated July 22nd: “Butter.— With reference to your telegram of July 16th, I have had a long personal conversation with the Pood Controller, who states that control over butter is inevitable, as otherwise sparse supplies would be entirely purchased by the wealthier classes, and that the Government could not ensure equitable distribution except as sole purchasers oi supplies. I raised the point of the Imperial Government controlling the British and Irish output in the same manner as is proposed in the case of New Zealand and Australia. The Food Controller replied that British supplied for the winter months are practically negligible, and any attempt to polled; British supplies in 1918 resulted in less than 100 tons at wholly disproportionate expense. Regarding Ireland, the Food Controller stated that he had taken the matter up with the Irish Department of Agriculture, and as a result Irish butter from November to April will bo restricted to the Irish market, and the retail price will be controlled. Tho Food Controller is most anxious to meet the wishes of the Now Zealand producers in every way possible, _ but maintenance of control for this wintei cannot be avoided. The Food Controller will give New Zealand a free market at the earliest possible date.”