N.Z.’S TRADE IN MEAT

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27675, 3 June 1955, Page 14

N.Z.’S TRADE IN MEAT

“WONDERFUL YEAR FOR PRODUCER” OPTIMISTIC SURVEY BY BOARD’S CHAIRMAN . (Special Correspondent N.ZP.A.) LONDON, June 2. “This has been a wonderful year for the New Zealand meat producer. Everybody wants our meat, particularly our lamb, and I am certain we have the ball at our feet for the sale of our chilled* beef—if we make up our minds to develop this trade,” said Mr J. D. Ormond, chairman of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board,-who will leave London by air for New Zealand on June 3. Mr Ormond" said he would be “happy” to take part In the discussions on freight rates in Wellington- He believes the rates should be fixed by negotiation and agreed to on condition that the shipping companies land the meat in Britain at a time most suitable to the New Zealand and British trade. “Both the tonnage and value of New Zealand meat shipped abroad this year have increased and the further outlook may be regarded as bright, so long as we do everything to maintain goodwill with the traders—and we certainly have that goodwill today,” Mr Ormond continued.

“Why have we been so successful? Because Now Zealand so far has been the only r ’t producing country not tied by c act to the Ministry of Food. No. only have we shipped increased quantities to Britain but we have also sent 14,000 tons to other countries who know they can buy our meat whenever they want to. The people trading for us have done a great job in building up these new markets and, if we can promote the same goodwill in them as we have in Britain, it will do so much more to help the traders. This is most important. “We must always remember that Britain is our main market. After her I should say we ought to concentrate first on Canada. Then we could develop trade with Italy for certain types of meat, and I think it vital to New Zealand that we start trading, even in a small way, with the United States on a long-term policy. “Then there are other markets that might be developed—such as Swe<’ —while Russia may continue taking supplies so long as she has complications with her agriculture. Continuity of Supply i “The most important factor In trading with Britain is the continuity of supplies. They must arrive here at the right time of the year—that is when they don’t conflict with the peak of the British kill, and we must keep regular supplies, daily and weekly, in the markets and shops. And that is where the importance of our relations with the shipping companies comes in.

“I have always maintained that the lifeblood of our country is transport. It is no good producing surplus food unless you can ship it abroad. Unfortunately there is only one ‘taxi’ and that sometimes causes complications in negotiations. But I believe the right way to handle the question of freight rates is by negotiations in Wellington and to get an agreement over the table: It is far better than setting up tribunals which, to my way of thinking, !s a somewhat artificial method of dealing with the'Subject. I will be happy to attend the meeting in Wellington and to negotiate with the objective of getting conditions that will mean that our meat, will arrive regularly on the British market at a time when we can reasonably expect to get the best prices. “I am fairly hopeful that we can get our conditions agreed to. We have a product that is popular in Britain, and everywhere I have been , throughout the country the main question has been ‘where can we get more New Zealand meat?’ This is our year of opportunity. We must take full advantage of it.”

Mr Ormond will arrive at Auckland on June 10.