MIDDLEMEN’S PROFITS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 25 March 1936, Page 2

MIDDLEMEN’S PROFITS

MARKETING OF DOMINIONS’ PRODUCE “In England I investigated the marketing of butter and meat and I am of the opinion that primary producers in some cases are not getting the full value for their produce, because the English middlemen are taking more than they should,” said Mr G. H, Bourne, who has recently come to Christchurch from Australia to take charge of the branch of the Bank of New South Wales, in an interview with the “Press.” “At Smithfield and in Tooley street, our produce is sold by auction and there is too big a margin between the auction price, which the producer receives and the retail price to the English public. When I was returning from England there were two New Zealanders, who had studied the markets, on board, and they had come to the same conclusion.” Mr Bourne thought that probably Australia suffered more than New Zealand through this leakage. The advertising of New Zealand meat and dairy produce, mainly by hoardings and displays in shops, impressed him as being better than the publicity which the produce of other Dominions received. If New Zealand spent more money on advertising, it was certainly justified.