The Flux Of Trade

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30426, 28 April 1964, Page 12

The Flux Of Trade

The nature of a trading concern changes, slowly, perhaps, but inevitably; or if it fails to change, it withers. That is as true of a trading nation as of the smallest business; and the rate of change in international commerce is faster today than ever before. The New Zealand economy might be compared with a suburban butcher fighting against competition from other butchers and from supermarkets to hold his old customers, and trying to get contracts to supply meat to hotels at present dealing exclusively with other butchers. The suburban butcher must match other retailers in personal service; he must stock as attractive a range; and he must provide a cheaper and better service to get a foothold in the hotel market.

All these problems, on a larger scale, confront New Zealand. The Minister of Agriculture (Mr lalboys), on his return from the Geneva conference on trade and development, described efforts to gain a foothold in new markets and the running battle to maintain access to other markets. A 60-acre farm in Suffolk is reported to produce veal in 12 weeks by a system similar to the “ battery ” for raising broiler chickens (an experiment suggesting a new source of competition for New Zealand lamb). New Zealand’s meat exports by air in. the first two months of this year were more , than double the quantity exported by air in the same period of 1963.. • This is an expensive but prompt and regular service aimed primarily at promoting New Zealand. produce in developing markets and in keeping ahead of our competitors.

The individual’s problems are real and immediate because he sees the certain prospect of misfortune if he fails to solve them. The consequences of failure to solve problems on a national scale could be equally unfortunate; but because responsibility is shared, it is often ignored. Solutions to New Zealand problems in external trade will depend mainly on the initiative,skill, and determination of thousands of farmers, processers, traders, .transport operators, public servants, and politicians. If other, sections of the community are called on to make a contribution it will be only a minor sacrifice for them.