PARLIAMENT Intensified Search For Meat Markets Urged

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28950, 18 July 1959, Page 14

PARLIAMENT Intensified Search For Meat Markets Urged

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 17. New Zealand had pioneered aerial topdressing and it could pioneer aerial trade, said Mr N. L. Shelton (Opposition, Rangitikei) in the House of Representatives today during the Budget debate, when he spoke on aspects of overseas trade and marketing. Mr Shelton advocated sending a trial consignment of fresh meat by air to the United Kingdom. He said New Zealand could open up markets in the Pacific by using aircraft for deliveries. The United Kingdom could no longer be regarded as a bottomless pit for New Zealand’s primary exports, particularly as primary production was increasing in Britain. And it was important not to over-supply that market which already took a great deal of New Zealand mutton and lamb.

The satisfactory disposal of large quantities of mutton could be of great economic value to New Zealand and more must be done to find new markets. Surplus mutton was being shipped to Peru and the Meat Board was certain that trade would increase. For many years, said Mr Shelton, it was thought New Zealand could not seU mutton to Japan because the Japanese council said they could detect a smell in the meat But recently Meat Board officials had visited Japan and discovered that for two centuries, in a religious ceremony the Japanese sacrificed rams on fires. “’Olis, of course, caused a strong smell which Japanese associate with mutton but the Meat Board officials, took with them samples of mutton and invited experts to trace smell or taint faults. The experts couldn't,” said Mr Shelton. In a few days a 560-ton shipment of mutton would be sent to Japan and this would be followed by another shipment of 400 tons of mutton and 400 tons of beet The Meat Board calculated there was the prospect of selling between 4000 and 5000 tons of mutton to Japan a year, and that trade was worth fostering. North America appeared to provide the greatest outlet for surplus New Zealand primary production, said Mr Shelton. The markets were difficult to enter, and Australia today was selling more meat on the Canadian market than New Zealand. “I believe New Zealand has a

case for asking Canada foi more accommodation,” Mr Shelton said. “New Zealand imports from Canada annually goods worth £6 million, and Canada buys £4 million. New Zealand has a strong case to urge Canada to vary her import restrictions and allow the entry of more New Zealand products.” A Fulbright scholar had told him recently, that if New Zealand were to export hogget to the United States "there’s no knowing where New Zealand might get.” "That may be an exaggeration,” said Mr Shelton. “But it is an indication that imagination am 5 salesmanship are required if we are to make any progress on the American market.” Mr Shelton urged the Government to “include more salesmanship in Its efforts to secure overseas markets.” A high-powered sales attack on all probable markets should be launched The “highest level" representatives of the Government, the Meat Board, the Dairy Board, exporters and farmers should be included in these drives and they should be nen who knew the art of salesmanship. “So much is Involved that this attack should be made without delay,” he said. The Dairy Board had been trying to find new markets in Eastern countries and its efforts, and those of the Meat Board, were encouraging but the Government could provide assistance in increasing the effort to secure new markets.