EXPORT OF BUTTER.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18808, 2 December 1932, Page 7

EXPORT OF BUTTER.

I the PATERSON PLAN. OPINION OF 'FARMERS’ UNION. (Uy Tclegrapn.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. A letter upon the Paterson plan to encourage the export of butter as in operation in Australia lias been sent to members of ’tiie New Zealand Farmers’ Union from the head office in Wellington. It comments upon the application of the plan to the marketing of New Zealand butter, and the opinion is expressed that it would not be practicable. The letter says that about 80 per cent of Urn butter manufactured in New Zealand is exported and 20 per cent consumed locally. For 'the year which ended on July 31 last 97,000 tons were exported. A bonus ol 3d per lb on tills amount would total £2,710,000. in order to provide a pool big enough to pay this bounty, a levy of almost 21 per lb. would have lo be levied on the 123,000 tons manufactured so that the “game would not be worth tiie candle.” Tiie position regarding cheese would be worse, as 85,000 tons were exported during the same year and only -1000 tons consumed locally. The deduction made from the facts is that tiie scheme would fail regarding any commodity with a much higher export than local trade, continues llie letter. Owing to the very high proportion of New Zealand butter and cheese exported, it is not considered that the Paterson plan could be operated successfully in New Zealand.