N.Z. EXPORTS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 16, 20 January 1931, Page 4

N.Z. EXPORTS

CANADIAN TARIFF

FRUITLESS CONFERENCES

THE ENGLISH MARKETS

Apart from tho Imperial Conference, the Prime JVlinistor (the Bight Hon. .G. W. Forbes) and his officers had many other problems of paramount importance to investigate on behalf of tho Dominion. Bur- • ing the visit of the delegates to Canada several conferences were held with the new Canadian Go- ' vernment on tho duty recently imposed on.New Zealand produce, but unfortunately these proved fruitless. In England tho Prime Minister made an extensive investigation of the Home markets for Now Zealand's exports, arid gathered valuable data for future policy. "During my recent visit to Canada and Great Britain," said Mr. Forbes on being interviewed after his arrival today, "I devoted considerable time to investigating questions affecting the oxport trade of the Dominion with those countries. It will be remembered that notification had.been received early last year from the Canadian,. Government that the then existing tariff 'duty on New Zealand butter imported into Conada would be terminated at the end of six months —i.e., in October last, and that new tariff arrangements would come into force. In the meantime a General Election took place in Canada, resulting in a new Government being returned to office, pledged to impose a greatly increased duty on our butter. This'pew duty came into fojpee on the date; I arrived in Ottawa. ONE-SIDED TRADE. "I had several conferences both with the Prime Minister of Canada and the Minister of Commerce, at which I pointed out the value of the Canadian trade with New Zealand, which showed a substantial balance in Canada's favour, and strongly urged a reconsideration of the proposed duty, which would have the effect of shutting out our principal article of export to the sister Dominion, besides making the trade too one-sided to be continued, our policy naturally being to buy in the market in which we sell our produce. It was not possible to arrive at any definite conclusion in the short time at my disposal in Canada, and the matter was left over fgr further discussion in London. I regret to. say that these further conversations proved fruitless, the Canadian Government, owing to having definitely committed itself to the imposition of this increased duty, finding it impossible to make any alteration. "It is my intention," said Mr. Forbes," .to discuss with my colleagues what action the '• New Zealand Government should taie to meet the present position, which in obviously too one-sided to be allowed tj» remain as it is." WObLLEN INDUSTRY. ''In.accordance with the undertaking given by me before leaving New Zealand to investigate the position of our wool trade in Great Britain, I visited L«eds and Bradford and got in touch T^ith the leading representatives of the woollen trade. I discussed fully with them measures for improving the marketing and quality of our product. I found a strong desire to assist the 2lew Zealand wool-grower, but the present world-wide depression, which was affecting the trade of these centres very seriously; prevented very much being done in this direction, most of the factories,being reduced to half-time working. I had an opportunity of visiting the Torridon Wool Research Institute at Leeds, where many valuable 1-e----search operations were being conducted. Many of these have a direct application to New Zealand wools, and I am hopeful, as a result of the information gained that our wool-growers will benefit accordingly. I also visited the Bradfpj& Technical College, where further Mrtsnues for the use of wool were being explored. Taken altogether, this work should prove of the greatest value to the industry, both, to the manufacturer, and the producer, land it is urged that the wool-growers in the Dominion should co-operate in carrying Out research on similar lines in our own country. I may point out that South African woolgrowers are adopting this policy in regard to their wool. Speaking generally, I found the quality of New Zealand wool highly spoken of, but in some cases it was considered that the quality ■was not up to the standard of past years. While at present it fe impossible to forecast the future in regard to prices, it is the opinion of manufacturers that wool will always be the most important factor in the manufacture of clothing, and with the improvement of trade it will come into its own again." MEAT MARKET. .Referring, to New Zealand meat, Mr. Forbes said: "I visited the great market of Smj.thfield on more than one occasion, and attended a meeting with the heads of the various selling organisations, arranged by Mr. E. S. Forsyth, whose work as London manager of the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board is very highly spoken of by those engaged in the 'trade. Matters in connection with the supply and quality of New Zealand mutton and lamb were fully discussed, and the general opinion was that our meat was of high quality and that its popularity was increasing. I also visited the meat markets at Glasgow, Bristol, and Liverpool, and found a strong desire that these markets should be developed to a much greater extent than at present. In connection with the sea carriage of our frozen meat, I visited the Low Temperature Research Station at Cambridge, where problems regarding bloom and moulds and other conditions are being investigated, and much valuable information is being gained." "Tho depressed state of the Home markets,'? said Mr. Forbes, "is also reflected in the'low prices that have for some months been ruling for our buttex and cheese. I invited the heads of the firms engaged in the sale of our dairy produce to meet me, and discussed with, them the' unsatisfactory position in regard to the low level of prices, and the marked disparity be-! tween the price of our product and that, of Danish butter. Several reasons were advanced for this, and suggestions mad© for improving the position, and also in regard to quality. Comments were made in connection with openness in our cheese, and also with the shipping of the standardised grade. These matters I hope to discuss with the Dairy Board. I visited tho Dairy Research Institute at Reading, and was shown the research work being conducted there. I also had the privilege of having a conference with tho research officers regarding problems specially related to New Zealand dairy produce, and gained much valuable information. GLUT IN APPLES. "In connection with, the fruit industry, I visited the Covent Garden Market in London, and discussed with some of the principal importers the unsatisfactory state of the market, particularly for last season's apples. This was ascribed to the glutted state of the market owing to large shipments of American fruit arriving at the same lime as-our own. It'was admitted that the New Zealand apples were superior in quality, packing, and grading to any other imported apples. It, was sug-|

geated that Continental markets might be doveloped, especially for the sale of our- Larger fruit. Particularly interesting was my visit to the Hast Mailing Research Station, where orchard problems are being dealt with., and improvement of npp'le stocks undertaken. At the same station the matter of! iho sea carriage- of fruit is being investigated, the actual ship's hold conditions being reproduced Col1 the purpose* oil carrying out tho experiments. It in confidently, expected that the hcayy losses in the sea. carriage of. fruit will as a result bo obviated.". DISTRIBUTION OF HONEY. "During my stay in London," continued the Prime 'Minister,* "I. . was much interested in tlio progress which, it wa,s very satisfactory to note, is being made in-the marketing of' Now Zealand honey. Tho distribution of our product is in the hands, of C. and X Morton, Limited, whose stores I visited, and was shown the process of packing. The organisation appears to bo very complete, and the standard brand of Imperial Bee Honey has now becomo firmly established and is undoubtedly the most popular imported honey on the market. "I should like here to mention the efficient work which is being performed by the High Commissioner and his staff and the representatives of the various Produce .Boards in London in pushing the sale of our produce in the United Kingdom. The excellent window displays of our produce in the High Commissioner's office daily command the admiration of hundreds of interested spectators. This in itself is a valuable advertising medium. The sentiment of buying Empire goods is a growing one, and much can be done lay this means to increase our Empire tfrade. BIGID QUARANTINE. "In conclusion," said Mr. I'orbes, "amongst other interesting places I was able to visit was the Stock Quarantine station at Tilbury Docks, under the administration of the Empire Marketing Board, where all pedigree stock for export have to undergo a period of quarantine under the strictest supervision, to ensure freedom from disease, particularly foot-and-mouth. On the date of my visit, a large number of pedigree stocks were in the station awaiting shipment to Australia. The opinion is definitely expressed by tlio veterinary officers in charge that there is no possibility-of diseased stock being exported after the regulation period of quarantine. Lastly, I would mention my visit to the Plant Eesearch Station at Aberystwyth in Wales, where very valuable work is being done in the direction of improving pasture, planta, grasses, clovers, etc., as well as many interesting experiments in grazing practice. : This important institution is under the direction of Professor Stapledon, with whom I had the privilege of staying for a week-end visit. Our own • plant research station at Palmerston . North is working: in close co-operation with this statijwij and there is a system, of interchange of officers between them. '• "In addition.to the foregoing, I had the opportunity of conferring with prominent financial and comniereial people, and had the .advantage of numerous conversations in regard to matters affecting the interests of New Zealand.'' "I am hopeful," added Mr. Forbes, "that the information I have, gained will be 3f some practical use in connection with th c consideration of our problems here." • ■ . . '