THE MARKET OUTLOOK

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 125, 29 May 1934, Page 7

THE MARKET OUTLOOK

MB. FULTON'S ATTITUDE

A, CONFIDENT TONE

(From "The Post's" Representative.)

LONDON, April 26. Mr. Dynes Fulton, vice-chairman of the Dairy Produce Board and chairman of the Amalgamated Dairies; has had enough fime in this country to make a fairly sound estimate Regarding" the 7ne a i fCeii?^ °f tio Publs^ towards New Zealand m regard to .dairy import probe[ c.ms- Not only has he'met members of the trade m various parts., of thecountry, but ho had the opportunity o£ meeting seventy members of the ConCommuTee arlia"entar7 Agricu^

-In a conversation I had with Mr." Fulton today he said he was surprised to see that the Government of New Zealand had set up a Royal Commission _to investigate the cost of production, markoting, and other matters appertaining to the general improvement of the industry. \ While it was very essential, said Mr. iulton, that no stone should be loft unturned to improve our position, quality ana marketing, he was of opinion that it was almost impossible, first of .all, co get .at tie cost of production at all accurately, owing to .the many variations in the conditions of the producers. So much depended 'oh' the producer himself. -

iTheiij again, as regards marketing of our produce in.New Zealand," continued Mr. Pulton, "the quantity sold'there is .infinitesimal compared to the amount that is sola 'in Great Britain. I am not aware at the moment whether it is the intention of-the Commission to come to England to investigate conditions here!* If they did I believe it would do a lot of good. THE QUESTION OF QUALITY: ""A^for quality, more can probably be done regarding this matter than anything else. -I have' no hesitation in saying, however, that New Zealana butter, generally speaking, is.regarded here as being *of excellent quality. Cheese is slso* improving very considerably. -While it is .not just as one would like it to be, .nevertheless, I have not heard one complaint from'importers and merchants,since I arrived in England. "I would .like to say here that tb» statement'that'has been made-in New Zealand regarding the .loss of goodwill owing ,to iho 'Dairy Board not agreeing to restrictions ,'of the Dominion output is utterly without .any foundation. I have been>in close contact writh many prominent-men-in ■Great 'Britain—members of Parliament and others—and at the present time ■ the question of quotas is not being considered, as -the Government has subsidised the Milk Marketing Board for two years. , CONDITIONS CHANGING. - "It is my confirmed opinion that conditions here are changing radically, and it is just .possible that .before tie expiration of the Ottawa Agreements • public opinion -will have changed,greatly and .Empire preference will have gained ground to .such an extent 'that if- regulation of is xeqnired the Dominions' position will,be much-easier fhan it -would have been only a few months ago. "I have wasted no time jaince I came here," saia Mr. Fulton, "in .investigating the position very thoroughly, and I dp hope nothing farther will be dpns for at least twelve months." V In Reference to the marketing. of bacon .pigs -in this country, Mr. Fulton said that .while many of New Zealand's pigs .were of a very good typa it was essential that the Government should institute a .certificate.of grade at the earliest possible 'moment, so - that only-the finest grade of pigs should bo marketed in this country. He was certain that there was a good market for bacon pigs .if established on a sound basis. -. /