MARKETING ABROAD

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 107, 2 April 1930, Page 2

MARKETING ABROAD

THE BLENDING EVIL. Marketing of the Dominion’s pr, duce in England, and the lnfluencbringing about tho fluctuations prices, formed the subject for an address delivered to the Palmerston North Citizens’ Lunch Club yestenia by Mr R. M. Maunder. Mr E. N. Buu den secretary of the Manawatu branch of the Farmers’ Union, preS * < Commenting on observations mad during his recent visit to England. Mr Maunder stated that at New Zealand House there was an interesting mechanical cow. It was about the sir." and shape of a typical specimen of tin Jersey breed, but had the head of Hereford and other distinguishing char acteristics. He presumed that it had been so designed as not to onend tin susceptibilities of any particular section of breeder's. , , . . Another interesting thing which ho eaw at Home was a dew-pond dug out of a hill, and packed round tho sides were clay and straw to form an insulation and maintain a certain temperature. Condensation < occurred in the cold period of the night and in the morning quite a quantity of water wa, available. Mr Maunder added that he had seen working in Hampshire a British made wheat harvesting machine which reaped, threshed, dried out and bagged—all in one operation. When walking along the Strand m London, said Mr Maunder, he saw a man selling apples and New Zealand pears at 8d each,-- the latter having cost him 36s a case. Apparently, after long storage and deterioration or tire fruit, the balance arrived in London and was 6old at a dear price. He saw five peaches in a nice little basket at .7s 6d. Fruit of the quality seen in the country could not be bought in London, where it was found that the dealer was making an unfair profit. The fish market was served much in the same way* the toilers cf the Channel, being forced to accept ridiculous prices or be boycotted, ihat showed the influence of buying combines and trusts which controlled the markets. Even for milk tho farmer received Is 2d per gallon while it was retailed at 2s 4d per gallon. Investigating the bacon market at Home, said Mr Maunder, he discovered that New Zealand frozen pork was being cured and converted into bacon, the Dominion carcases being manufactured into Wiltshire sides. Comparative cuts of English, New Zealand and Danish bacon examined by experts had revealed that the Dominion product was equal to and better than the others. Despite the points commending its excellence, however, New Zealand bacon was little known for the reasons stated. Mr Maunder expressed the opinion that the advertising of this Dominion’s goods did not reach the right people. Consumers as a whole seemed to know little of New Zealand. Mr Maunder instanced the blending evil, and its influence on the British consumer. There were quite a number of brands of butter finding their way on to the English market which would have no sale but for .the blending system. 1 What was the use of increased production if New Zealand had caught up to the demand and reduced the price, it could bo asked? Mr Maunder stated emphatically that that was not the case, as the produce markets were manipulated by the big combines. What opportunity had the farmer of this country with a fifteen to one chance against good prices being returned to him? Combine must be countered by combine. There were over three hundred sellers in New Zealand to about twenty buyers in England, with' the logical consequences. The legitimate wholesalers were giving the New Zealand farmer a fair deM, but tire multiple shops were not. England, however, was a wonderful country, but like a wonderful garden it had a lot of little weeds in it. When the latter were sorted out, New Zealand could look for better things. Mr Herbert Seifert, in moving a vote of thanks, stated that scientific farming had to be followed by scientific marketing. Production was only one half of the business.. It seemed to be a question in the light of present facts whether the question of dairy control should not be reopened. Britain was a sound market, according to Mr Maunder, and his statement of its stability was very gratifying. The speaker was accorded the usual vote of thanks.