DAIRY MARKETING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 303, 20 November 1935, Page 3

DAIRY MARKETING.

MR H. E. DAVIS PLEASED

TRIBUTE TO PRESS.

WELLINGTON, Nov, 20

“The outstanding impression .1 will carry back to England after my 13 weeks in New Zealand is tlie remarkable solidarity of the dairy industry in connection with the group marketing proposals,” said the Dairy Board’s London manager, Mr H. E. Davis, in an interview yesterday. “From the time when 1 first placed these proposals before the Dominion conference in September up till tlie present the interest shown in every district has been tremendous, and I have been delighted with the way in which industry leaders have grasped the fundamental points in the scheme. After my contacts with every district in New Zealand, I am satisfied that the great majority of the industry is wholeheartedly behind the board in its endeavour to modernise our marketing system, and to bring it up to the standard of those operated by our competitors overseas.” Discussing the meetings lie had had throughout New Zealand, where he explained the proposals in detail, Mr Davis said that these had endorsed the board’s policy. The only district in which there appeared to be much opl>osition was Morrinsville, where, the proposals were attacked as an interference with the rights of directors of individual dairy companies, and where there appeared to be an undercurrent of feeling against one particular company. . Asked as to whether the reaction of the Tooley Street merchants would be favourable to the scheme, Mr Davis said that he had no hesitation in saying that the best elements there w r ould be right behind the board. The whole attitude of the directors of dairy companies in New Zealand had been helpful, and he had found that, after the problem had been put forward plainly and frankly, they were almost unanimously in favour of it. This, combined with the unanimous approval expressed by the Press of the country, was exceedingly satisfying, and he felt that if the industry would stand right behind the board for the next two years, during which time the whole scheme would be consolidated,_ it would have a marketing organisation of which it would he proud. Mr Davis said he would like to pay a tribute to the Press of the Dominion for the intelligent way in which they had handled the proposals. It, was gratifying to him to meet so many newspaper editors who fully grasped the possibilities of the marketing scheme, and who, in their discussions with him, showed that they had a very good knowledge of the position at the London end.

“Naturally, we are sorry to be leaving New Zealand again after so short a visit,” added Mr Davis. “The rapid trips I have had through both islands have been all too brief for seeing as much of the country as I should have liked, but I shall take back with me thoughts of that wonderful, carpet of grass which, in every district,’ is the source of New Zealand’s prosperity.”