THE EXPORT MARKET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21504, 30 May 1933, Page 8

THE EXPORT MARKET

From the adversity of to-day will come the fruits of to-morrow. New Zealand's primary industry is keyed up for greater achievement. The new dairy regulations mean a better grade of cheese in particular. Already what was known as standardised cheese has been removed from the export market, and whey butter no longer is a handicap. Now the sheep interests are active in the cause of quality. The conclusions reached last week by the conference of sheep breeders and the experts of the Massey Agricultural College are to be submitted to a more representative gathering of farmers to be held in Wellington, and there is every reason to believe that the ultimate result will be that comprehensive and practical measures will be adopted to improve the North Island wool standard. The objective is not one that can be reached in one season or two. The process of raising the wool productivity of flocks will be a matter of years. By voluntary means, the only method that is now feasible, it will not be easy to eliminate the scrub ram, which is so serious a handicap to-day. It will take time to break down the resistance of prejudice. Many sheep farmers, steeped in the traditions of the past, may resent the intrusion of the scientific idea, but, nevertheless, they may be able to contribute something to the store of knowledge in the matter of breeding and other farm practice. A progressive movement, however, has begun, and there is no branch of primary production in which the farmers are more alert and responsive to knowledge than that of sheep farming. Scientific principles have been more widely adopted in the dairy industry, but there, also, is active the urge for increased efficiency and higher standards of production. The times are bad, and, indeed, distressing, but the New Zealand farmer, upon whose efforts the whole economic structure of the country rests, is resolutely setting out to improve his place in the market, even if in some directions it be a restricted market. And in doing so he is setting an example to all

citizens, whether they are manufacturers, distributors or workers. As the Master of University College, Oxford, recently remarked: "We must try to get a sense of community among our people." What is demanded is Jhe co-operative mind. New Zealand cannot prosper until world-wide conditions create a favourable market for her produce. There are signs that these conditions are beginning to improve. In the meantime, it is only common sense to prepare for a more exacting market, and the farmers are doing so.