DEAR BUTTER

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2100, 28 January 1908, Page 2

DEAR BUTTER

A RISE IN PRICES

EIGHTEEN PENCE PER POUND

Housewives will be disconsolate; farmers will be joyful (says the Auckland Star). Butter is going up; right up. Already in the-south there has been a considerable rise; Auckland will shortly follow. One of the primary causes is the scarcity of pasand consequent falling off in tho milk suppply. But there -are other factors, and whereas tins time last year there was something of a slump, the present indication is that before long wo will be paying Is 6d per lb for the best makes of creamery butter.

A merchant closely identified with the butter trade was interviewed by a Star representative this morning on the subject. “Butter prospects?” he said, in reply to a question as to the probable -rise in values. “Prices are going to- go up like 'rockets. 1 will go so fa-r as to say that before the winter comes on, the retail price of best creamery butter will be iod per lb. In fact, a rise may be expected at once, since the market is just the reverse of what it was this time last year. Twelve months ago we wero asked to curtail our shipments Home, and sell -as much -as possible locally. This week I received a cablo from a firm of English merchants, asking me to send four times the quantity shipped last- --ear. This gives some idea of the demand which exists at Home, compared to that of tho previous year.” Asked to what cause the shortage at Home was -ascribable, the Auckland merchant replied that there seemed to -be a. falling off in the supply right through tho dairying countries of the world. -Canada, which for some years has been rivalling Denmark in the extent of its shipments, has this season sent practically nothing to the London market. “Secondary butters, including dairy and milled, are meeting with an excellent demand,” continued t-lio merchant-, “and there is not tlie slightest doubt that from now on prices will continue to go up. The long peiod of dry weather is having a considerable effect on the butter output. Yesterday I visited two -factories in the Waikato, and found' that as a result of the dry spell the output was diminishing 60 dr 60 boxes per week in each case. Every steamer which goes out depletes the supplies in the cold stores. There is one factory I know of which will cease, to export -butter Home after next month, and will store for the local market, in anticipation of bi" prices. In the south,” lie concluded, “it is evident that the position as really acute, since inquiries have boeii made here regarding tlie possibility of negotiating contracts for a whiter supply.”