NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE

Evening Star, Issue 21824, 13 September 1934, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE

CEYLON OFFERS GOOD MARKET SHIPPING FACILITIES A DIFFICULTY That there is no part of the world, with the possible exception of the north of England, that drinks more tea than. New Zealand, was the opinion expressed by Major John W. Oldfield, a member or the Ceylon Tea Propaganda Board, when speaking to a ‘ Star ’ reporter. He said that there is little room fop greater consumption in the dominion, and that the people here 'generally drink good tea and make it well. While he is of the opinion that the balance of trade between New Zealand and Ceylon is so ludicrous that it is hardly worth calling a balance, he recognises that there are possibilities of a very good market in Ceylon for the produce of the dominion, as, in addition to the European population of the island, there are tliousands of the indigenous population who live in the manner of the Europeans, and who could provide a market worth many thousands of pounds annually for butter, frozen meat, fruit, etc. Shipping facilities constitute the main difficulty to be overcome. '

Major Oldfield, who is in Dunedin in the course of an intensive campaign on behalf of the “ black ” tea of Ceylon, India, and the West Indies, as distinguished from the “green” tea of China and Japan, went to Ceylon in 1907 as a tea planter. During the Great War he had a distinguished career, serving in France for four years. On six occasions he was mentioned in despatches, and; was awarded the M.C., 0.8. E., Groix de Guerre, and Chevalier of the Order of Leopold. At the close of the war he returned to Ceylon, where he has been closely identified with the mercantile and political life of the country. In 1932 he was made; a Companion of the Order of St._ Michael and St. George in recognition of his public services in Ceylon.- “ The chief commodity imported by, New Zealand from Ceylon,” he said,- “ is tea, and a gfood way behind that comes desiccated coconut. In 1931 New Zealand imported £617,000 worth of island produce, while only £5,000 worth of produce—mainly butter and dried milk—was sent from here to Ceylon. The figures in 1932-33 were also greatly in Ceylon’s favour, so it- would be seen that there was not much of a balance between the two countries. The drop in the figures for imports to this country in 1932 was the result of a drop in the price of tea, while an increase in the amount spent in the following year showed the effect of an increase in the price. On the other hand drops in the amount of butter sent from New Zealand to Ceylon were due to the island procuring supplies from Australia. The New Zealand quality _ remained , the same, but the shipping facilities offered by the Commonwealth Government resulted in Australia almost monopolising the market for produce.There is also a very -big market in India for New Zealand produce, and it would be worthwhile for exporters to explore further the great possibilities offering iff the Middle East—lndia. Ceylon, and Malay States. New Zealand mutton" can be imported into Ceylon to compete favourably with the locally grown goat meat, and several tea estates are now providing frozen meat for their labourers. There is no doubt that if there were better shipping facilities other produce could also find its way into Ceylon.”