§ MR. BOLANDI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state what the cost is per hundredweight of grading butter in New Zealand: and what is the proportion borne by the producer and the New Zealand Government respectively.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe cost of grading butter in New Zealand by the Government of that Colony is stated to be approximately 1½d. per cwt. The whole of such cost is borne by the Government. The figure named does not include the cost of cold storage and freezing at the grading depots at the ports of shipment. Practically the whole of such cold storage charges are now borne by the producer or shipper, and are considered as pertaining in greater degree to the business of oversea export than to the official grading system of the Colony.
§ MR. BOLANDCan the hon. Gentleman give the total cost?
§ MR. CHURCHILLasked for notice of the Question.