PROMOTION OF MEAT SALES OVERSEAS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29222, 4 June 1960, Page 12

PROMOTION OF MEAT SALES OVERSEAS

Board, Exporters Form New Company (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 3. The New Zealand Meat Export Development Company to promote sales of* lamb, mutton and beef in under-developed markets overseas has been formed by the Meat Board and the New Zealand-owned Freezing Works Association. Mr J. D. Ormond, chairman of the Meat Board, when he announced the establishment of the company today, said: “I believe this is the most important move made in the meat industry for many years. It has been taken after full consultation by the board with representatives of all interested parties. It is designed to expand our trade in markets which may be considered under-developed, and it is planned that this work will be done by co-operation between the trade and the board. This is a plan in which all meat exporters can participate.”

Mr Ormond said that at a meeting with meat exporters on February 10 last, the board’s recommendations said the board was concerned with the development of markets outside Britain, principally for lamb and mutton, and it wanted suggestions to extend sales. The board’s view was that the national interest demanded full and sound development of all markets and it asked for exporters’ co-operation. “The board is determined there must be more positive, more active development in new markets.” the exporters were told. "It

believes it is imperative there should be continuity of supply and satisfactory pricing policies. It may not be possible to get these results without some sort of cooperation between exporters and the board.

“At the conclusion of that meeting the board invited exporters to state their difficulties in expanding markets and to make suggestions for the future.” Mr Ormond said today. “We received many excellent suggestions qnd offers of co-operation. In particular, the board received a proposal

from the New Zealand-owned Freezing Works Association. This proposal was along the lines ol suggestions advanced by a number of meat exporters. “Since recgjpt of the association’s proposal, a joint committee of the board and the association has reached agreement on a plan to form the Meat Export Development Company. The board and the association are anxious thal the development company shal allow for the utilisation of al meat exporting interests in the trade in the under-developec areas. “The N(eat Export Developmen' Company will have a share capital of £60.000. The initial shareholders are members of thf association. Provision for the issue of shares to new shareholders is at directors’ discretion. The directors will be five elected bj shareholders, and five appointed by the Meat Board. The board's directors will not necessarily bt board members. “The board has chosen not tc become a shareholder in the company. As the purpose of the company is developmental trading which is essential in the national interest, the board will give the company practical assistance. The board will continue itself to carry out promotion activities in all their aspects. “The board has ensured thal the development company has allowed for the utilisation of all meat-exporting interests in the development of trade. It is foi this reason, and because the board intends to give the company practical assistance, that the board has taken equal representation or the directorate.

“This scheme is based in the board’s faith that traders can best do the job,” said Mr Ormond, “but also in our fully considered opinion that co-operation between the board and the trade is essential to the building of our export future. The means, have now been provided for better cooperation and co-ordination 'in marketing This is an absolute essential to the welfare of our industry and to the national interest.”