PRICES FOR PRODUCE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 153, 14 June 1932, Page 11

PRICES FOR PRODUCE

POSSIBILITY OF QUOTAS. EXTENSION OF PREFERENCE. Auckland, Jun a 13. While seeing no signs oi an early rise in the prices of primary products, M. K. F. Whiteley, a Tooley street mei chaut, who arrived by tho Aoraugi yes terday, stated thut New Zealauu now had every opportunity to expand its English market and if Britaru introduced the quota system, as seemed likely, prices would probably rise, with benefit to farmers tho world over.

“The 10 per ccut. duty already ini posed by Britain on foreign butter, cheese, eggs and canned goous is reacting iu the Empire’s favour,” said Mr Whiteley. “It has already stimulated a demand for New Zealand products, and there is every hope that further preference will be given tho Empire as a result of the Imperial Conference at Ottawa. There is a good deal of talk in Britain of introducing a quota for importations of bacon and pork, as well as meat, in which case it is likely that supplies will be restricted, with a beneficial effect on prices for the primary producers. I have no doubt at all that further duties Or quotas will be established before very h g. In the meantime it behoves New Zealand to push its products at Home for all they are worth, so that when prices improve a larger market will have been firmly established.” To show the extent to which prices might improve by a limitation of supply, Air Whiteley recalled that when a strike occurred in Danish bacon factories last April, the price of Danish bacon advanced from 50s a cwt. to 75s and 80s a cwt., while Polish bacon advanced in sympathy from 42s to a similar figure. At least sfl per cent, of Britain’s importations of bacon came from Denmark.

Mr Whiteley expressed the opinion that New Zealand could with advantage do more in the way of shipping produce direct to North oi' England ports, such as Liverpool, Glasgow, and Avonmouth. where it would be backed up by the great advertising campaign of the Empire Marketing Board. Denmark, Finland and Sweden had the bulk of the North of England trade in butter, but New Zealand was at last commencing to obtain he r share. The cheapness of butter, which could now be sold at Is a lb, tho price of best margarine, was really a favourable factor in expanding New Zealand’s market, and Imperia) preference, which Ottawa should promote, would greatly increase her chances.

New Zealand eggs and pork should have a larger share of tho British market than they do at present, said Mr Whiteley. Although the Dominion was following the right lines with regard to tho export of pork, experiments might with advantage be carried out with shipments of cured bacon, particularly as it was probable New Zealand would reap the benefit of the quota system.