OVERSEA MARKETS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 156, 4 July 1931, Page 12

OVERSEA MARKETS.

EGGS, BACON AND HONEY. EXTENSION ADVOCATED. WORK FOR -PHYSICALLY UNFIT. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Advocating a departure from the present method of absorbing unemployed on road and public works, Mr. W. J. Jordan (Labour, Manukau), when speaking on the Unemployment Amendment Bill in the House yesterday referred to some of the productive industries which could be developed and extended by the aid of additional man power. New Zealand, being a small country, was admirably suited to small holdings, said Mr. Jordan, and these, when properly farmed, provided useful goods for the great markets of Europe. For instance, there was an enormous market for eggs in Great Britain, and although Australia and South Africa between them had last year supplied approximately 12,000,000 dozen, reports indicated that in the United Kingdom an even greater supply could have been profitably marketed. Admittedly New Zealand had difficulties in egg production, but these would have to be removed to enable the Dominion to extend its export trade in this commodity. Bacon was in great demand in England, as were citrus fruits, which could be grown satisfactorily in New Zealand, while an outstanding opportunity existed in the direction of the production of honey for export. The possibilities of the oversea market for honey were almost unlimited, and it was to be noted that the consumption of honey in Britain was increasing. Thousands of pounds had been spent in advertising New Zealand honey, and efficient packing plants had been established in London and Germany, but supplies were falling off. In 1A29 the export amounted to 1056 tons, whereas the figure last year was only 77 tons. Supplies must be available, and the market must be extended. In that process work could be found for hundreds of men who were unable to engage in road work.

While on the subject Mr. Jordan emphasised that road work was beyond the physical capacity of a large number of men. Of the 135,282 men examined for the N.Z.E.F. during the war 65 J per cent were declared unfit. That number included 57£ per cent declared permanently unfit for service overseas. Many of these men were now offered road work and asked to live under trying conditions, notwithstanding that they were unable to. stand up against strain when they were . fed and fairly satisfactorily clothed. • ' " "