N.Z. DAIRY PRODUCE

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15037, 7 September 1922, Page 5

N.Z. DAIRY PRODUCE

DAMAGED IN TRANSIT UNSATISFACTORY HANDLING. QUESTION IN PARLIAMENT. '(By Telegraph.—Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. “Representations have been mad.e to rne by exporters of butter and cheese that the handling of their produce on Jl the ships is not satisfactory,” said Mr 0. J. Hawken (Egmont) in the House of Representatives. “They tell me that last season the butter and cheese were put on board the boats in better condition than ever before in the history of the industry, but the produce suffered considerable damage before it reached the buyers in Britain, and many claims had to be paid.” The claims showed that the circulation of air in the holds of some of the ships was not satisfactory. Hon. W. P. Massey promised to make inquiries. He said that he realised the ‘importance of getting the produce to Britain in the best possible condition. Fluctuations on Market. Replying to a question asked by Mr W. H. Field (Otaki), the Prime Minister said that the monthly shipments of butter and cheese from New Zealand to Britain had been fairly regular during the' past season, and the fluctuations of the market could not be traced to irregularity of shipments. The fall in the price of butter in London during December was due to the efforts made by the Imperial Government to clear their stocks. The market improved immediately the stocks were disposed of in January, and continued to rise steadily, except for a set-back during May, until the beginning of July,, when the highest point c»f the season was reached. The mar- ' ket had been weaker during recent weeks, but it was still at a good paying price. Prices for cheese had followed a course to those for butter. Manipulating the Market. Mr Field had suggested, in his question that the shipment of dairy produce was controlled by one firm or person in Sydney, that the market was alternately glutted and starved, and that speculators with inside knowledge were able to make big profits at the expense of producers and consumers. “I am not aware, and do not believe, that such practices are carried on in connection with the shipment of New Zealand produce,”, said the Prime Minister. “I understand that overseas shipping trading to New Zealand is directed from London, and that New Zealand representatives have untrammelled discretion regarding the loading- of ships.” ©