NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 151, 29 June 1931, Page 11

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE

COMBATING OUTSIDE COMPETITION

: In a private letter received last week from Sir Thomas "Wilford, High Commissioner, ' the writer. states: — "The atmosphere here is intensely gloomy. Though the bank rate is lower, it seems only- to affect Government stocks. There is no confidence m the market, and the price of a; Stock seat' which' 'was. A IBOO or ■thereabouts on the Ist January, 1929, cak now be bought for about £250. . . '*<'Wool and butter buyers are buying 'fronf'ilay to day, hoping; that perhaps prices', may still "go. lower, and fearing to ahead in' case they might lose the advantage they would gaw frpm still another drop in.the price of ouf products. "Competition from abroad is serious, though not in our lamb, for the"1 standard of • that is so- high that no one else can yet, reach, it, Las.tyear we-proseciited thirty butchers in different parts of England for selling Argentine meat as that of Now Zea-land*-and in each ease got a conviction. To show the quality of our article, nobody'has" yet tried to sell New Zealand meat as that of Argentine.

'"On the other side of the picturo •there is an , awakening interest in Empire. The nian in the streot is. boginning to wonder whether it is possible that a form of protection might help Mm in the manufacture of his own products for export. lam sure that while many fail to comprehend the moaning of tho Empire as an economic unit, the discussion on protection and free trade is producing a better understanding. This is good for us.

"The Midlands, long rofusing to buy anything but Danish butter, is at last waking up,- and only this morning I have.evidence thafcvmy campaign there is ..producing tangible results. Mnyors of towns are passing resolutions in favour of buttor from Now Zealand,-while my correspondents from Midland towns and vißits from, merchants from tho Midlan'ls. all show an awakened interest.- .; ..-.■:. . ■: ■ : ' ' ■..-:.■■ ■ .

"lam very busy trying to do all I can to combat outsido competition, and insidious propaganda in favour of foreign goods.' The Empire Marketing Board hero is doing wonders. Now Zealand is well served by a body of intelligent representatives who are working with heart and soul to help us all they can. "We are particularly fortunate in the personnel of the men entrusted with the responsibilities here.

.."Our country stands well.in the eyes of Great Britain, and no one: need be ashamed to claim himself a New Zealauder. I feel that our mana: is great, that it has really been earned, and that the character which we have must bo upheld at all costs. I impress upon all New Zealanders who come to me the importance of this viewpoint."