BRIGHTER HOPES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 186, 7 August 1940, Page 8

BRIGHTER HOPES.

N.Z. OUTLOOK. Shipping May Be Chief Problem For Exporters. Australia's view of the export outlook, as stated by the Federal Minister of Commerce, Mr. ,A. C. Cameron, is not entirely in accordance -with the views held by .leading representatives: ofthe primary industries in Auckland. It is pointed: out that the wastage of war materials as a result of operations by the British forces over the past two months has been below what was expected,, and greatly - below that -of the first year of the last war, bat there is still a big demand for crossbred wools and dairy produce.. ■. -. ; ■=,; '/>: "Mr. Cameron's statement appear* .to be a fairly accurate summary of lue osition as it affects the Commonwealth," was the comment of one uthority.V "The consumption of wool u< Britain is not as heavy as was antiipated three months ago, and present •upplies wjll last longer in consequence, -•.his applies | particularly to Merino, which is used jiL tie manufacture of the finest cloths. Jute is similarly affected, as enormous stocks of sand bags are no .v in use, and there is only .a limited demand for replacement." Demand for Crossbred. A prominent woolbroker pointed out that New Zealand was in a relatively stronger marketing position than Australia, as tbe demand for wool was chiefly for d-ossbrcd. The British Government waifcd allt~the crossbred fleece it • could- secure. New . Zealand's clip should be heavier this season than for several years, as a result of the favourable winter,, especially in the North Island. : **''•'' ■ In dairy production the demand was greater for cheese than foir butter, stated a producers' representative. New Zealand was ' aiming to supply Britain with an extrsi. Jso6ol tons of cheese, and was changing over from milk powder wherever possible. Also, any milk that could be diverted to cheese in other districts would be tised "to increase the outjput*.. .Although,, no new cheese, factories would be built, there, was scope for expansion to the extent required. v , . ,

J. The dairying season is, starting well, with good weather conditions," he added. "Throughout the Auckland distnct the -farmers are anxious to do their part, and the shipping services are being well Australia's. exports of butter and cheese will probably be down on acount of the * drought, which is severe in New Soutli Wales." - D~ minion's Meat Outlook. In meat, the outlook was not quite so clear, it was learned. There had been meetings',in Wellington to discuss storage, production and marketing, and it was known that Britain had a .laager reserve than usual of unbilled stock. The . Ministry jofFopd was in control at Home, and ■ was" 'safeguarding food supplies to the '/ull extent of its powers. pipping conditions from New Zealand • W • Britain over the past twelve months have been 'remarkably good," said a member pf ; the meat industry. ;"A greater quantity of. frozen meat has been produced and shipped "than in the year before the War, and prospects for the coming season are encouraging, provided the number of ships in the New Zealand trade* is n«t much reduced. Storage capacity has been increased and is being further increased." Fruit and Bgp. Fruit marketing liad>been more favourable than the Dominion had been led to expect early in the war, stated the head of a company in close touch with .the position. At first the Dominion was told that no fruit •could be accbmmodated in the ships for Britain, but half a million cases, nearly 60 per cent of the normal exports,' Were sent. This was a great help, and had enabled New Zealand to dispose of its surplus. Larger internal consumption should do the rest. Britain's appeal for eggs was unlikely to And any. marked response in New Zealand, ■ said a prominent merchant. For eggs cheap grain was needed, and Canada, Australia and South Africa, were better able to supply than this Dominion! Wheat did not present .an export prob. , « ?r.New Zealand, vhe stated. Australia > handicap was that she was five weeks from Britain, comnared with Canada# mm week.