COLONIAL PRODUCE TRADE

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 29 September 1915, Page 8

COLONIAL PRODUCE TRADE

The stnte of the dairy produce market at Home, and the outlook after the war, are matters in which every man hiterested in the agricultural and pastoral life of 'the country is vitally concerned. Mr A. L. Wicks, of Wanganui, who has been associated with the dairy export trade for some years, lias recently returned to New Zealand, and in conversation with, a Chronicle reporter he said: So far as New Zealand dairy produce was concerned, gripes were likely to remain good owing to the scarcity of foreign produce. The United States,, seizing: their opportunity, had sent over a large quantity of cheese, but it had not been satisfactory. As a matter of fact it was of very inferior quality,, and in many cases it had to be returned. This did not apply to American red cheese.

While in London Mr Wicks was taken over the docks by the Fort of London Authority. Great improvements have been effected, and had the war not broken out, the Authority would by this time have completed accommodation for half a million carcases. The congestion at the London docks was frightful. This was largely due to the fact that' Southampton- nad been declared a^ military port, the shipping usually done there being; traznsferred to London. The dock: sheds were piled to the roofs with cargo for the colonies and all parts of the world, but the authorities could not. guarantee when it would be shipped. This was owing to the Admiralty commandeering ships at any moment-. Speaking of Bristol, Mr Wicics commented on the excellent facilities which are provided for the handling of frozen meat. The West Coast of England provided a fine market for Xew Zealand meat, but the producers should agitate for a regular shipping service. " , 7"

The probability of France becoming a purchaser of New Zealand meat after the war was discussed, Mr Wicks expressing the opinion that France v* ould undoubtedly be a large consumel . There was a great scarcity of meat in England. Many butchers'' shops opened for only two or three days a week, while a large number of they smaller men had had to close their premises altogether. This was playing into the hands of the big companies. Speaking particularly of dairy produce, Mr Wicks said the outlook wasextremely good. The scarcity of butter had proved that in England, there was a class, of people who would insist on having good butter, no matter what the price might be. New Zealand cheese was spoken of very highly at Home, being compared favorably with Canadian. As a matter of fact, Mr Wicks saw a cheese from a certainTaranaki factory cut up and sold as Canadian by one shopkeeper. While on this subject the visitor spoke-of thegreat profits some people made out of New Zealand cheese. One big con-' signment, he said, was landed at under 70s per cwt, and turned over to the War Office at 90s per cwt, the enterprising seller being an American trust.