CORRESPONDENCE CONSUMPTION OF NEW ZEALAND PRODUCTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 115, 12 April 1933, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE

CONSUMPTION OF NEW ZEALAND PRODUCTS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —May I through your valuable columns dare to suggest that, if we are anxious for development, may we not develop the appetite for our own health producing products, such as milk, butter, cheese, meat, honey, apples, etc. These are all very necessary for the well-being and health of the nation. Through good advertising appetites are created for almost anything, valuable or otherwise. Has it occurred that New Zealand could consume comfortably each year 40,000 tons of butter? Australia could consume 160,000 tons, and Britain could consume 1,000,000 tons. These figures are quite simple, and are the result of information received from a number of homes in Palmerston North. Further, if our school children drank one glass of milk per day it would require 360 farms of 30 cows each to supply the required milk. In bulk this could be supplied for Id per glass. Again, if our school children had one apple a day for six days a week it would require 1,000,000 cases of apples to supply tlxem for the year, and in both cases would be a great aid to health. In bulk these could be supplied at a very cheap rate. Then habits would be formed which would mean a larger consumption of real ■ body building and health-giving foods. Yes, surely we have something to talk about in our advertising, something of real value to offer to the public. Tell the people of the whole world if they want real food to eat our pure products. Develop the desire. The reply may be, we have no money to buy. This phase must be adjusted; we must have a consuming power, or it will become more difficult every year to consume the ever increasing products of the ever-increasing producers; we must afford real food and necessaries, otherwise we shall have an ever increasing army of unemployed, and thus will mean dearer goods and more taxes, as goods are dear at any price if you have not the money to procure them. May I again suggest that the various interests should co-operate in the selling end. I have at least convinced myself that the sum of £50,000 spent each year for four or five years would put the selling end in such a position that we could sell all the products New Zealand can produce.' From a distance of 12,000 miles it is impossible for any one to form any idea as to the true position of our markets. In conclusion, may I again say “Advertise and tell the people what we have and restore our purchasing power.” Farmers, co-operate if you are anxious about your products. —I a.m, etc., R. M. MAUNDER.