NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE IN LONDON.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3327, 8 January 1898, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE IN LONDON.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sik, —Referring to the copy of the report appearing in yesterday morning’s paper of Mr H. C. Cameron, New Zealand Produce Commissioner in London, to the AgentGeneral on the sale of the colony’s produce in England and the results, I would venture to make a few remarks, in the hope of suggesting a way whereby better prices may be realised and glutted markets neutralised. As the originator of the first Formers’ Co-operative Association in this Island, I stated to the people with whom I came in contact during the formation of the Company, that it was the intention of the Association to find markets for all kinds of produce in Great Britain in the manufacturing and populous districts, such as Liverpool, Manchester and the Black Country, Cardiff, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and anywhere a market could be found, and operations not to be confined to London alone. This and kindred associations, what have they done in the disposal of the product? They have appointed agents in Loudon, and there the matter ends until the annual cable arrives: “Market glutted; prices low.’’ Why put all your eggs into one basket ? The centres named have not been tapped as they should be. To achieve success you must embrace' the opportunity and have push and energy, w hat is the result of this centralisation system ? Cablegrams are regularly received at stated times of the market (London) baing glutted and no sales taking place. If this produce was distributed direct to the centres referred to, sales would bo readily effected, and good prices realised. What do the producers at Home do ? Do they send everything to London ? No, they watch the markets and consign accordingly to the different ones. London prices may be low this week; nest week Liverpool and Manchester will be favoured with consignments, and so on. All kind of produce—beef, mutton, pork, fish, fowls, game, &o.—is treated in this way. It: is to be borne in mind that the only real compel ition between Home and colonial produce is during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays and such as the time of the Jubilee festival. Everything in the shape of produce at Home is sold. The farms are cleaned of everything. What I would suggest to these associations is that agents should be appointed in each of those large centres and small consignments regularly made. You would then hear no. more of markets glutted and low prices. It is all nonsense that we hear of. the great prejudice against colonial produce. The fact is, such prejudice originates in the brain of the retailer that he might buy at his own price, but when the customer comes along, the tale is different. Again, we are being treated to a jumble of what I have seen and heard and knowledge picked up on my visit to England and Europe during the Jubilee festivities. What exact knowledge can a few months’ residence in the midst of such large communities afford ? None to be acted upon, —I am, &o„ Alex, Jardine. Wellington, 7th January, 1898.