PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22032, 12 February 1935, Page 11

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

NEED FOR CO-ORDINATION EXPORTS TO BRITAIN POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT [by telegraph —OWN correspondent] MATAMATA, Monday The circumstances leading to the promotion of the Agriculture (Emergency Powers) Act wore detailed by the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. C. E. Macmillan, in an address delivered in the Matamata Town Hall this evening. Mr. A. E. Wrigley presided over an attendance of about 300. The Minister outlined the methods of the sale of New Zealand dairy produce from the earliest days of the industry until immediately after the Great War, when the price realised for butter, he said, was 2s 6d per lb. The crisis which followed tbe sale of New Zealand produce at sacrificial prices in the post-war years emphasised the need for organisation and tbe Dairy Export Control Board was set up. Absolute control was put into operation, but an alarming position arose through the coal strike in England and the accumulation of large quantities of butter on which advances had been made by merchants. Absolute control was then abandoned, and subsequent elections of board members had approved the decision of the first board to abandon control. Bobby Calf Trade < World conditions, and particularly the position in England, said Mr. Macmillan, made it necessary to place the organisation of the primary industries of New Zealand on a better basis. There was great need for co-ordination. For instance, bobby calves were being killed for their veils and tbe meat was thrown away. When he saw that this was being done he suggested that the meat should be stored. This suggestion was adopted, and soon afterward a request was received from the British Government to release the stored veal. The request was made in favour of one firm, but he protested against this. The British Government then ga\ r e way and the release became general. Next year the Government would be in a better position to control the storage and sale of veal. Exports of Pork Pealing with the pork industry, Mr. Macmillan said that as much perk as New Zealand could produce this year could be exported. It was absolutely necessary that this year's exports should be the largest possible so that the Dominion would be in an excellent position to long-term planning for exports to Britain in future. Referring to the provisions of the Agriculture (Emergency Powers) Act, the Minister said many representatives of the dairy industry had supported proposals for the stabilisation of the local butter market, and the Act now provided for such a scheme. All companies would start off from scratch and anyone who had made a 21 years' contract would not be allowed an unfair advantage. Uneconomic methods and unnecessary transport charges would be eliminated and savings would be effected. Butter Price Guarantee

Mr. Macmillan said the Government desired to break down , the prejudice which it was known had existed in Great Britain against New Zealand's produce. Good work was being done by the High Commissioner, Sir James Parr, and Mr. David Jones, in creating a better atmosphere. In answer to Mr. P. Hawke, the Minister said the Government would guarantee the price of butfcer sold in New Zealand, hut it would not be practicable for it to guarantee the export price. The Government was trying to get the British Government to require goods to be branded with the name of the country of origin, and not merely as of Empire origin. The Minister said he was of the opinion that factories should be permitted to sell pasteurised cream direct to the public. The price charged to the public at the present time was ridiculous. On the motion of Mr. T. Cotter, a vote of thanks was passed to the Minister.