MARKETING OF N.Z. MEAT

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27695, 27 June 1955, Page 12

MARKETING OF N.Z. MEAT

SALES OUTSIDE BRITAIN MR MALCOLM REPLIES TO EXPORTERS (New Zealand Press Association) OAMARU, June 26. “In a statement issued by their spokesman, meat exporters have denied any suggestion that more might be done in the way of marketing New Zealand meat in countries other than Britain. The exporters defend their case by drawing attention to the fact that had the May figures, which have just been issued by the Meat Board, been used instead of the April figures, no such criticism would have been made,” said Mr W Malcolm, chairman of the Dominion meat and wool section of Federated Farmers today. Mr Malcolm criticfeed meat exporters in his presidential address to the annual conference of the meat and wool section last week. A spokesman for the meat exporters replied to criticism on Friday.

*3 also said in my presidential address that it wouM be interesting to see at the end of this, the first season of free marketing, the extent to which New Zealand has sold meat to countries other than Britain,” Mr Malcolm said. “Examples have been given to Federated Farmers of exporters in New Zealand turning down good offers from importers in countries other than the United Kingdom and of the same offers being accepted by Australian exporters. “In comparing the tonnage exported in previous years to other markets, operators seem to ignore the fact that, under bulk purchase, such sales were strictly limited. I agree with Mr J. D. Ormond, the Meat Board’s chairman, that New Zealand’s best market is in the United Kingdom, but he has never disregarded the importance of other markets, as a study of his remarks will disclose.

“In arriving at that important decision to exercise the option to terminate the contract before its full course, producers were keenly aware of the advantages to be gained by being free to increase sales to outside markets,” said Mr Malcolm. “Operators claim that they are keen to develop every possible market, provided that any such market will return competitive prices. “The final figures for the year should indeed be interesting, especially on the re-export of our meat from London.

“Are the head offices of meat exporters iri London as keenly aware of the need for direct contact between buyers and the country of origin as the New Zealand connexions appear to be?” Mr Malcolm asked. “Under existing conditions, New Zealand’s production of meat must continue to increase. All the evidence goes to show that the United Kingdom market is not unlimited. Can we afford to lose any opportunities, however difficult, to establish fresh markets?”