DOMINION AND ARGENTINE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19344, 3 June 1926, Page 10

DOMINION AND ARGENTINE.

COMMUNITY OF INTERESTS. NEEDS OF THE EXPORT TRADE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] HAMILTON, Wednesday. Reference to the common interests of New Zealand and the Argentine in their export trade was made by Mr. H. Bidone, Consul-General of the Argentine, in an interview to-day. "It is a great pleasure to find myself in Hamilton for the first time to admire the magnificent Waikato Show, a proof of intelligence, perseverance and faith in methodical work," said Sir. Bidone. Hamilton, he added, was the home of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, which was the largest co-operative organisation in the world, since in 1925-26 it manufactured more than 30,000 tons of dairy products. Mr. Bidone said he would like to detain ■in Hamilton the enemies of co-operation, so that they might study the great advantages ot this economical-social system, the foundation of which was a marvellous commercial unity in the production, technical treatment and marketing of produce, and which created a moral affinity between its members, stimulating private initiative.

A milking cow was preferable to five steers since, while a steer produced 54311). of food one cow produced 2196ib., or nearly five times more. Further, the steers were killed and the cow went on producing for six years. The Argentine was the principal exporter of beef and linseed, and New Zealand was the principal exporter of dairy products and . lamb. The two countries had a parallel destiny of greatness.

What was required for the stabilising of the meat , and dairy produce trade, continued Mr. Bidone, was the co-ordina-tion of industrial and commercial methods between the producers of both countries and the consumers in England. Every effort should bo made to lessen the cost of production. The market of England was the goal where all the nations which produced food converged as in a race of nations, and the nation, which was best organised technically, and which was nearest to England, would win the race. What people bought were the best and the lowest-priced products. In business a moral or sentimental factor did not intrude, but only a commercial and monetary one.

The cost of production was the most important- factor in industry, both primary and secondary. To meet any fall in values there was no better or more sensible recourse than to cheapen the cost of na'tural production and if the fall did not materialise, by so much more would the producer benefit. ,