REACTION EXPECTED FROM N.Z. LAMB ADVERTISING

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31764, 22 August 1968, Page 26

REACTION EXPECTED FROM N.Z. LAMB ADVERTISING

(N.Z.PA. Staff Correspondent) SYDNEY, August 21. Full-page advertisements for “World Famous New Zealand Lamb” which were published in two Sydney newspapers today, are expected to bring a fresh outbreak of protests from Australian farmers.

The advertisements, placed by Woolworths, which has a national chain of supermarkets and food fairs, comprise the biggest single burst of publicity given to New Zealand lamb imports this year.

Although a record amount of lamb has crossed the Tasman, importers and trade officials have not advertised it widely for fear of further antagonising Australian producers. New Zealand trade officials are known to be concerned about the advertisements, which could cause the big lamb controversy to flare up again. Australian lamb growers, graziers and sheepbreeders have combined to mount a campaign against New Zealand lamb imports and have demanded that lamb be with-

drawn from the Tasman free trade agreement. The Australian Government has refused to take any action, claiming that the imports were not high enough to affect the local industry. 2000 Lambs The advertisements, headed: “Super special—Save on world famous flash frozen New Zealand Canterbury lamb” appeared in the two after-

noon newspapers, the “Sun" and the “Daily Mirror.” They offered 151 b sides of lamb, ready cut, for $3.99. Stewing chops and braising chops were also advertised at 51b for $l. A spokesman for the company said that it had received a shipment of 2000 frozen lambs from New Zealand this week.

The spokesman said the company had never advertised New Zealand lamb before because it did not have large enough quantities to guarantee supplies to all its stores. Last This Year

He said he thought the advertisements could pro-

duce some reactions from farmers. “As we are an Australian company this does concern us, but we have supplies of meat to sell and we aim to sell it to our best advantage,” he said.

The spokesman said the consignment would be about the last bought from New Zealand this year. With a rush of early spring lambs on the market Australia has a glut of lamb at the moment and prices are unprecedently low. Farmers at protest meetings in New South Wales have blamed New Zealand imports for these low prices.