Fijian Market For N.Z. Vegetables Discussed

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30192, 25 July 1963, Page 15

Fijian Market For N.Z. Vegetables Discussed

New Zealand should be able to capture the whole at Fiji’s import trade at potatoes, onion*, peas, and garlic if it were in the right position. Mr W. N. Dunlop 'meat and wool section delegate' said at a meeting of the executive of North Canterbury Federated Farmers yesterday.

"I believe the whole position is dependent upon the availability of shipping at the time of our peak period,” he said.

During last year New Zealand was competing with Canada. Australia, and the United States for the import of these produc s to Fiji. At the executive’s last meeting. Mr Dunlop said that considerable trade with the islands had been lost because of poor shipping facilit.es.

Quite a lot. he said yesterday, had been done since then, resulting in the African Reefer being scheduled for the island trade as from August. However, because it was at the peak of the season that shipping became short last year, the matter should be put on the executive's February agenda for review and. if necessary, taken up with the Minister of Overseas Trade. From the return* of these exports New Zealand earned £lOO,OOO in 1962. Mr Dunlop said. A total of 429 tons of onions was exported, 3474 tons of potatoes. 221 tons of peas, and 78 tons of garlic. This year New Zealand would probably supply the bulk of the onion imports, but during 1962 it lost a

considerable amount of trade because ships were not available. He did not think New Zealand would do so well this year with the potato trade, but more garlic could be exported if it were grown. Mr Dunlop's suggestion that the executive review the matter in February was approved. Electoral College Difficulty in getting mail deliveries early enough would prevent Chatham Island farmers from voting in the forthcoming Electoral College elections. the Chatham Islands delegate tMr S. J. S. Barker) said. Farmers on the island felt they should be able to vote, but because of the delays in the mails they would not be able to do so unless some provision was made. A suggestion was made that th* votes could possibly be cast a>nd the results transmitted by radio-telephone. It was decided to write to ♦he secretary of the Electoral College to see what could be done. Improved Fertiliser To obtain improved D.D.T. superphosphate for aerial sowing would cost a minimum of £2 a ton and a maximum of £4 a ton more, Mr Dunlop said. He was referring to a remit which sought aa improvement in this field. He believed no progress would be made in the South

Island unless there was proof ot a real demand. If the demand were shown, the fertiliser works would need to install a granulating plant, which no South Island works had at present. But no works would install such a plant until farmers showed enough interest to warrant the cost. To investigate means of improvement and to keep a watch on the progress, a committee consisting of Messrs J. C. Denham (HawardenWaikari), J. W. Tinniswood (Motukarara), and Dunlop was set up. Held Over A remit from the CustWest Eyreton branch asking Federated Farmers to press tor legislation to be brought down enabling rabbit boards to market rabbit skins, thereby reducing rates and earning overseas exchange, was held over.