THE OLD LAND AS VIEWED FROM THE NEW

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 1349, 22 June 1911, Page 7

THE OLD LAND AS VIEWED FROM THE NEW

—* IN REGARD TO DAIRY PRODUCE TRADE. ADDRESS BY MR J. G. HARKNESS. At a meeting of the National Dairy Association held in the A. and P. rooms yesterday Mr J. G. Harbnefs, secretary, read a paper ou the above subject, being the raulls, of instigations made whilst at Home uu behalf of the Association. The London busiuess man he said was a man proud of his traditious. He built up great concerns within the region of sacreoy and he considered that if the left hand knew what the right was doing, failure would be the result. We, ou the other hand, were net trammelled by traditions, and believed iu going the .straightest and most practical way irrespective of formß and csremony. The Toolay street merchant thoroughly understood his business, was keen, shrewd, lioueet and trustwothy, but he moved in a traditionbound faith. AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT. The Loudon trade in dairy produce had undergone great change iu the past ten years. There was thn effect of the development of Germany from an agricultural to an active manufacturing nation, and instead of exporting butter she was now importing SO, 000 tons annually, principally from Siberia and Denmark. Italy was now importing instead of exporting, France also was augmenting liei supplies from outside souroes. The number, of oattle in European countries had during the last ten years deoreased as regarded ratio to the population. Iu Oanada agrioultnro had not held its place in the remarkable development and expansion made, and there was there a strong demand iorraoreand cheaper food.' l A duty of threepence a lb effectually olesed the door to cheese there. Should the Canadian reciprocity treaty with the' United Statrs be ratified the effect of it on New Zealand trade would oe far reaching, In 1909 Canada exported to England £4,518,589 worth of cheese. The United States would offer a better market. THE STANDARD OP LIVING. , In every oivilised country the standard of living was being ra'sed and that was the most important factor of all. This question of the value', of dairy produce thus beoame not one ss between the Dominion and the United Kingdom, but one of world wide moment, Mr Harkness dealt in detail with conditions of the transit of dairy produce to London and Its treatment there. In oom< paring New Zealand and Canadian oneese he said it must be admitted New Zealand had not attained the degree of excellence reached by the Canadian artiole, there still being oomplaiuta as to flavour, body texture, and minor defects in manufacture. SOME SUGGESTIONS, After giving mest concise and comprehensive information on the subjeots traversed Mr Harness suggested, that the Government be asked to establish a properly equipped laboratory and experimental station presided over by a oompttent and oapable chemist; that the Governmont should be asked to approaohthe United Statrs with a view 1 to obtaining some concessions in respect to the heavy embargo at present existing against dairy produoe as there were there the elements of a luorative and inoreasing* trade, adveitising at home. the cost. of which should ba shared by the exporters as well as their London agents, the adoption of a universal brand "New Zealand produce," with a registered number for identification purposes to replace the present uudesirable multiplicity of brands from a Felling standpoint, grading and maintenance tf a high standard of exports. At the conclusion cf the address a heartv vote of thanks wbb aooorded Mr Harkuess for the amount cf thought, care and labour .he had bestowed upon the paper.