CHANGE WELCOMED IN LONDON

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 264, 4 August 1936, Page 10

CHANGE WELCOMED IN LONDON

New Marketing Plan MR. W. GOODFELLOW’S OPINION Loyal Co-operation Likely By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, August 3. The opinion that the change in New Zealand dairy produce marketing methods would be welcomed by the best elements of the trade in England was expressed by Mr. W. Goodfellow on his return to-day from a business visit to England. The speculative section of Tooley Street was somewhat nervous as to the Government’s intentions, but he had no doubt the trade in general would loyally co-operate in the establishment and maintenance of any sound scheme for the more efficient marketing of our butter and cheese. New Zealand was'by far the largest exporter of cheese to the British market and also the largest supplier of butter, and in consequence could not be ignored. Further, many of the largest Tooley Street importers had for many years realised that some radical improvement in the marketing of New Zealand dairy produce in- the United Kingdom was long overdue, and numerous complaints had been made about the existing system. The largest firms would be very glad of a change, and he thought they would be at least as well off. They would no longer have to fight for supplies in New Zealand, and continuity of supply would be assured. , . Referring to Amalgamated Dairies, Limited, of which he is managing-di-rector, and the Empire company, Empire Dairies, Mr. Goodfellow said these selling organisations would still be required under the Government purchase scheme and would function as in the past. The turnover in the United Kingdom exceeded £6,000,000 in the past year and the whole of the produce was now sold direct to the trade, while the United Kingdom organisation was in good shape. He saw little prospect of a return to the'permanent export trade in dairy produce to Canada and the United States, although the recent drought might result in a temporary demand. It was difficult to see, however, how these agricultural countries could normally import substantial quantities, of food without seriously embarrassing their huge agricultural population. Speaking of the existing dairy produce prices, Mr. Goodfellow said the present position was largely an artificial one, due chiefly to th®. small autumn production in Australia and also to the fact that with the rising standard of living in Russia Siberia was only exporting about half the volume she did last year. As very large quantities of butter were now being required for the army, present prices could not be taken as an indication of what was likely next season. The increasing prosperity of the United Kingdom however, should be reflected in better prices for dairy products and other goods not already restricted by the import quotas. The policy now favoured in Great Britain . indicated some modification of restrictions in favour of tariffs. Mr. Goodfellow said he was greatly impressed by the phenomenal trade recovery in Great Britain. It had been stated that all employable persons would be at work within 12 months. As far as he could ascertain the unemployed to-day existed largely in the coal and cotton areas.