ERA OF PROSPERITY

Evening Star, Issue 18811, 9 December 1924, Page 2

ERA OF PROSPERITY

RECOVERY OF CONTINENT. ADVICE TO DOMINION FARMERS, [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, December 8. Mr J. S. Jessep, of Hawke’s Bay, vicechairman of the New Zealand Moat Producers’ Board, was a passenger' by the Tahiti, which arrived from Sydney to-day. Accompanied by his wife and daughter, Mr Jessep left Now Zealand in April last, mainly oh a health trip to Great Britain and the Continent. After a pleasant and interesting torn' the party returned to Australia in the Ormuz, and came on to Wellington by the Tahiti. Although tho trip was chiefly a private one, Mr Jessep spent several. weeks in London at a conference in respect to the very important question of freights. He also travelled extensively in tho central countries of Europe, visiting Austria, Czccho-Slovakia, Germany, Holland, and Switzerland. “ There is no question,” he said, “ that the demand for frozen meat is steadily increasing. This is evidenced by tho everincreasing shipments of frozen beef from the Argentine to the Continent. It only wants a general revival of. trade, in my opinion, to lead to a large increase in the consumption of meat on the Continent, and that revival of trade seems to bo very near. The material wealth of Central European countries is clearly shown on all sides by the wonderful crops and manufacturing activity to be seen on all hands. The people work long hours, the land is rich, tho natural resources of the countries are great, and tho only factors lacking are credit facilities. Os- we know, these are now being arranged in all the countries referred to, including Germany j in fact, it looks to me as if a trade boom on tho Continent is imminent.”

In reply to a question as to the new contract made with the shipping companies with respect to the carriage of refrigerated produce, Mr Jessep said: "I consider it was very wise in the interests of the dominion to make a contract for the next three years. The prices arranged place the dominion in comparatively rather a better position than we occupied in pre-war years; that is, as compared with the Argentine, our main competitor. I am strongly of opinion that we should concentrate now on the efficiency and refularity of the shipping service from New ealand to England. A fast and regular service can only be carried out by shipping fleets able to thoroughly cope with the trade, and it is of paramount importance that wo should do everything we possibly can to reduce the time between New Zealand and her markets. This can be done by giving shipping companies a contract for three years, thus enabling the companies to make their plans to provide vessels for this trade wbicli will cut down time. I hope to sec time reduced to thirty days from Wellington to London via Panama.

“ Everything points,” continued Mr Jes- , sep, “ to very good prices for Now Zealand produce for some time to come, and if I may venture to give a word of advice ( to my fellow-farmers in the dominion, it would bo this: that now is their time to reduce their liabilities and own their own farms. We are enjoying an era of prosperity undreamt of by onr fathers, and , if we use the opportunity rightly, the whole farming community of New Zealand, can get into a position in which it will i not be troubled so much about the price of money. The outlook is decidedly good, but even high prices may he dangerous if people are carried away with them. If the hig{i prices of wool, meat, and dairy produce lead to over-speculation and not) to the strengthening of their position, the result may not be so beneficial to producers as it should bo It is to be hoped

that tho Wesson of the past few years will not be forgotten.” Mr Jessap said that there has been a very marked improvement in the handling of meat on the wharves in London since he was in England two years ago. Ho pointed out also that tho increased imports of frozen beef to the Continent meant a better London market for Now Zealand produce. Mr Jcssop left for tho south this evening.