MARKETS IN BRITAIN

Evening Star, Issue 21130, 16 June 1932, Page 6

MARKETS IN BRITAIN

DOMINION'S OPPORTUNITY DEVELOPMENT AFTER OTTAWA To inform producers and traders in Now Zealand and Australia of the value of the port of Liverpool as a link in the chain of distribution of their produce is the mission of Captain R. F. Whiteley, of Messrs Whiteley. Muir, and Zwanenberg Ltd., of Tooley street. London, who arrived at Auckland this week. In an interview with a ‘ Star ’ reporter he said it appeared to him trade would be diverted to the dominions owing to the Import Duties Act, and ho felt confident that a further development of Empire trade would take place after the Ottawa Conference. Captain Whiteley expressed the opinion that shippers of New Zealand produce did not realise that the industrial population around Liverpool was much greater than London and its environs. Liverpool was the port which supplied the densely populated manufacturing districts of England, and in days of keen competition like tlm present shippers should realise the importance of direct shipments to the nearest point of distribution. People in the north of England and_ the Midlands had expressed a desire to use more dominion produce, and the Import Duties Act was helping. Unnecessary and costly rail and road transport charges had to bo incurred by merchants and retailors in Liverpool who desired to sell Empire goods, and naturally the extra expenditure entailed was passed on to the consumer, with the result that foreign produce had a slight advantage. BLENDED BUTTER. Captain Whiteley said that there was a fair amount of New Zealand butter used for blending purposes in England, but the product was not sold as New Zealand, and the dominion therefore did not get a bad deal in that respect. Australian butter was used more extensively for that purpose. Siberian, Polish. and Baltic butters also were used { and the blends sold as “ English.' The dearest butter was mixed with the cheapest, and attractive placards were used to aid the sale. " 1 think this is wrong in principle,’ - said Captain Whiteley, “ but nothing can be done to prevent the practice without Government action, and there have been strong influences to prevent this.” Captain Whiteley said that during the last ten years the sale of butter bad increased by approximately 70 per cent. The lowering of the price to the public had stimulated demand enormously and had cut into the margarine trade. Butter at Is a pound was bought in preference to margarine at the same price, but large quantities of margarine were still being sold at (id a pound. EMPIRE PREFERENCE. " What New Zealand wants is a greater share of the total trade,” he said, “ and I feel sure you will only get that by a system of increased Empire preference and through the continued good work of the Empire Marketing Board.” While expressing the view that prices were not likely to rise in the near future, Captain Whiteley said everybody in England would be pleased to see increased prices for all primary products, as they wore undoubtedly too low through over-produc-tion and through the freetrade system that Britain enjoyed. At the present' time there was a 10 per cent, duty on foreign butter, eggs, cheese, and canned goods, which naturally helped to stimulate the demand for Empire products. The north of England absorbed large quantities of butter made in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden, and he was of opinion that New Zealand could do more direct shipping to Liverpool, Glasgow, and Avonmouth. BACON AND EGGS. Captain Whiteley expressed the view that England offered a good market for eggs, and the dominion should push on with production. It was no use England giving a huge preference to Empire products unless the Empire produced the goods. There was also a big field for pork, and New Zealand was on the right track as far as that product was concerned. He thought experiments might bo made in the direction of the - shipment of cured bacon, especially as there was talk at Home of the introduction of the quota system or duties for foreign bacon and pork products and meat. Personally he was of opinion that quotas were better than duties, as better prices would result. The Ottawa Conference would no doubt have something to say on that subject. Quotas would limit the imports from foreign countries. At present 50 per cent, of the bacon consumed in Great Britain came from Denmark. EMPIRE’S FUTURE. “ 1 have been an advocate of Empire preference for ten years,” said Captain Whiteley, “ and I feel that the future of England and each dominion depends upon mutual co-operation and trade.” In England opinions were divided as to the Ottawa Conference. Unfortunately there were so many Freetraders who desired to buy in the cheapest market regardless of the origin of the goods. Captain Whiteley’s mission has the support of the Liverpool Trade Association, and he desires to meet chambers or commerce and other organisations with the object of gaining their co-operation in regard to direct shipments of produce to west coast ports of England. He is the retiring president of the Liverpool Provision Trade Association.