NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21878, 14 August 1934, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE

CAMPAIGN IN GLASGOW SATISFACTORY RESULTS SALES OF DOMINION BUTTER [ I'HOM OUR OWN COIUIESPONDENT] LONDON, July 10 Glasgow is the homo of fresh meat. Moreover, a few years ago it was not much in favour of Now Zealand butter. These facts being considered, the recent campaign in favour of Dominion produce has given the Meat Board and tho Dairy Board considerable satisfaction. - ■ Tho campaign was opened by the High Commissioner, Sir James Parr, who had received ail invitation from the Clyde Dock authorities. Previously tho officials of tho two boards had canvassed retailors in tho city and surrounding district. Tho Dairy Board officials called 011 1228 retailers, and of these 930 were found to be selling New Zealand butter. Among tho meat salesmen 40 entered for the window-dressing competition, and among the produce retailers 95 entered in No. 1 section, composed of multiplo shops and co-operative stores, and 128 entered for No. 2 section, made np of privato traders. An attractive shop was taken near tho central railway station. Samples of butter in quarter-pound pats were sold to the number of 1609, and 1900 samples of cheese in 2oz. pats. Lamb Sandwiches The Meat Board made an innovation and prepared lamb sandwiches for sale in order to get the people to test the .merits of cooked frozen lamb.. Tho sandwiches were sold singly as well as in bags each containing three sandwiches, cheese, biscuits and a New Zealand apple. As many as 4000 single sandwiches were sold, thus giving the board's officials an opportunity of getting into touch with the consumers and removing the popular prejudice against tho frozen article. A large number of merchants, provision retailers, butchers and their assistants were subsequently tho guests of the two boards at tho Central Hotel, when the silver cups, diplomas and cash prizes were presented to the winners in tho windowdressing competitions. Tho chair was taken by Mr. Davis, representing tho Dairy Board, and Lord Provost Swan and Mrs.gSwan were present. Mr. Davis said that the co-operation of the retail trade was evidenced by the fact that while in 1933 —when they had run their last campaign in the city —there were only 23 entries for tho window-dressing competitions of Now Zealand dairy produce, there were 223 entries for tho competitions just concluded. There was an evident tendency, said Mr. Davis, in certain quarters to sell New Zealand butter and cheese under tho general term of Empire, but there were many sources of Empire supplying butters of many different grades. New Zealand did not permit any of its butter under first quality to bo sold in the retail shops. Lord Provost's Speech

The Lord Provost said although they were there under the auspices of the two New* Zealand boards, being Scottish they also had their own motives. One of these was to obtain and ensnro that the article they sold was of the very best. That being so they, with their knowledge of the trade, had for some little time put New Zealand produce in the front of their sales campaigns. To-day. there was a good deal of talk of helping their own home farmer, and there was also tho point of view that tho importation of Empire and foreign produce was absolutely against the welfare of our home industry, which in this instance was their own farmer.

Tho speaker said ho wished definitely to stato overseas Empire produce did not compete with the homo farmer, and, even if it in any way did so, there was a way in which they as shopkeepers could help the homo farmer and still support tho other Empire producers. In the first five months of this year 9500 tons of butter had come into this country, not from Empire countries, but from countries outside the Empire. That butter was competing not only against Empire produco but against the home farmer. So far as New Zealand produce was concerned they would never receive anything but tho very best, and that was not a peculiar characteristic of any of tho foreign countries referred to. Referring to trade with Glasgow the Lord Provost said that to-day three ships were being built on the Clyde for carrying food from New Zealand to this country. 'These vessels were being equipped with the latest improvements in refrigeration, so that goods of the highest quality and best condition would bo delivered on our shores. "Therefore," he again said, "buy from New Zealand and you will be helping work on tho Clyde."