NEW ZEALAND MEAT IN ENGLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12303, 22 June 1903, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND MEAT IN ENGLAND.

THE PROPOSALS OF THE GOVERN-

MENT.

STATEMENT BY MR. CAMERON.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Saturday. Replying to a question put by a Post representative, concerning the proposal to establish retail shops for New Zealand meat in Great Britain, Mr. Cameron, Produce Commissioner, said his opinions upon that subject were well"known. He had always advocated that the greatest possible publicity should be given to our produce. Had our producers taken the advice he repeatedly offered to them before and since he entered the Government service, there would be no occasion to-day for the Government to take this matter up. There was a vast field for New Zealand nroduce waiting to be developed at- Home,~a.nd it appeared to him that the Government recognised the position and future possibilities much more clearly than did our producers. The advertisement of our meat 'Mid the development of the honest retail distribution of it throughout the country ought to have long ago been undertaken by those in this country interested in the trade. Steps have never yet been taken to attempt to break down that prejudicewhich everyone who returns to the colony j admits exists in the minds of the bulk of the consumers in Great Britain. Mr. Cameron maintains that urgent measures are required to develop our retail trade, and that energetic steps must be taken to keep our meat in the forefront, where Hitherto it has been. Foreign countries are making every effort to overtake us, both in quantity and quality. It is only a question of a short time whan they will accomplish the former, and, knowing the business capacity put into their trade, Mr. Cameron believes that very tough competition, yearly growing stronger, will have to be faced by New Zealand producers. The proposal submitted by the Premier is one for the improvement of the meat trade generally. There is no intention of buying sheep in the colony in opposition to existing companies, nor is it intended to sell at cost, price. Purchases would have to be-made in the best available markets, and care taken that the duality of meat purchased would be suitable for the requirements of the trade and district in which it was to be sold. The prices for sale, would be fixed so as to cover ad expenses, while at- the sain* time sufficiently high to permit retailers to sell in competition : * and such as to encourage the ! wealthier class to become consumers of ~u' ! meat. Briefly put, Mr. Cameron says The ' proposal is simply one of advertisement by I demonstration.