MARKETING OF BETTER

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29055, 18 November 1959, Page 14

MARKETING OF BETTER

Reasons For N.Z. Policy In U.K.

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 17. By following a policy of restraint and not forcing butter prices on the United Kingdom market still higher at the present time, New Zealand was ensuring its dairy fanners the maximum returns in the long run, said the General Manager of the Products Marketing Commission (Mr P. B. Marshall) today. “New Zealand markets something in the vicinity of 160,000 tons of butter a year, and seeks to feed the market regular weekly quantities, so that British consumers can be encouraged to buy by brand and be certain of getting our butter all the year round,” he said. Mr Marshall said this year the price level had risen steadily over a period of months, but, because those increases were gradual, New Zealand had been able to hold its consumers.

To adopt the policy of countries like Poland, and continue forcing the butter market upwards, might give a slightly higher return for a few months, but this would be disastrous from a longterm viewpoint. “Last year’s experience showed we had tremendous consumer support in- the United Kingdomin fact, it is doubtful whether the United Kingdom Government would have taken the anti-dump-ing action it did had it not been for the tremendous public support accorded New Zealand’s case for fair trading. “Last year's situation might easily recur, and we might again have to ask the United Kingdom Government to take action. We are much more likely to receive a sympathetic hearing if we can show that we have fed the market and treated our customers

fairly, “Price is essentially the regulator of these natural factors, and it is one of the Commission’s objectives to see that no-one is getting an undue profit on New Zealand butter at the moment.”