§ 68. Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieuasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that shops axe now rationing butter to customers; and what steps he proposes to take to increase the supplies of butter.
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§ Mr. GodberThere have been Press reports that some shopkeepers are rationing butter to their customers, but there is no general shortage in the shops. The Government have already taken measures to enable importers to bring in all the butter available. New consignments from Australia and New Zealand are expected in this country shortly.
§ 70. Mr. Hunterasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in view of the shortage of butter this coming winter, what steps he proposes to take to increase the supplies of home-produced butter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GodberHome production of butter now contributes only a very small part of our total supplies and any increase would be unlikely to have an appreciable effect on the present temporary shortage. In any case, it would be neither economic nor practicable to divert a significant quantity of milk to butter from other uses.