New Zealand May Soon Have To Look For New Markets

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 March 1949, Page 3

New Zealand May Soon Have To Look For New Markets

The belief that, properly handled, there ,is not the same danger of a grave recession of prices that was “round the corner” in 1928 and 1929, was expressed by the Dominion president of Federated Farmers, Mr W. N. Perry, addressing a meeting of farmers at Greymouth last night. “The world population is increasing at the rate of 55,000 a day, and provided suitable economic arrangements can be made there should be no fear of over-production so far as farming is concerned provided that adequate international arrangements can be made for the distribution, of food and for the expansion of production complementary to agriculture,” said Mr Perry. “In this last, lies, I think, the key to the position. We have had six years of the most ’disastrous and destructive war in history. The point is going to be what other countries can afford to pay, and when Marshall Aid tapers off I think we have got to face a recession in prices. However, if we make proper arrangements I believe that that recession can be cushioned, and this is the job we have got to work for through the International Federation of Agricultural Producers in bringing pressure to bear on the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation and through it on the Governments of the world.” Expanding Exports

“These are matters which we have to tackle,” added Mr Perry. “There is another thing that I think we must do, and that is I believe that we can use the machinery’ of I.F.A.P. to expand our exports of primary produce, and I am convinced that it is not going to be long before we are looking for new markets. Our production is certainly going to increase, and when the raw materials for margarine become more readily available and when the grain position recovers, and the pig population of the world comes up again, then we shall have to look for new markets for our produce. “Britain at the present time is receiving 200,000 tons of pig meats less than she received in 1938. When that quantity of meat again comes on to the United Kingdom market we shall have to certainly look for alternative markets. I believe that if we handle the thing in the right way we have tremendous markets available in America for butter, for lamb, and for grass seeds. Sales In America “I believe, however, that to get this into the U.S.A, without opposition that we must put it through the producers’ co-operative organisations handling similar products in U.S.A. In this way we will not arouse the hostility that we would otherwise arouse. Here again we can use the services of I.F.A.P. “Also, I believe that we must use the machinery of I.F.A.P. for advertising our products, and in this connection we shall be able to make arrangements to demonstrate our very valuable ryegrass and white clover seed (for which we need a market), to the people in the Northwestern States of America and in British Columbia. Our delegation which goes to I.F.A.P. this year intends to initiate this work,” concluded Mr Perry.