OUR PRIMARY PRODUCTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21362, 16 June 1931, Page 4

OUR PRIMARY PRODUCTS

THE BRITISH MARKET MENACE OF RUSSIAN COMPETITION. (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, June 15. Referring to the British market for New Zealand’s primary products on his return from abroad by the Niagara today, Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P. for Thames, said the greatest danger to the Dominion at present was Russia, which was swamping England'with butter and was determined to undersell any other competitor. “ Unfortunately,” Mr Samuel continued, “ there is no tariff barrier, and the product of the Soviet country is being blended with butter from the British dominions, and purchasers do not know that they are buying Russian butter. Although it is alleged that this butter is manufactured under labour conditions which would not be tolerated in New Zealand or any other dominion, I am informed that the quality is quite satisfactory. Just before I left London a shipment of Siberian butter packed in barrels, and valued at £2,000,000, was landed. Although there is an outcry against this dumping the British Government says that it is powerless to interfere. “ There is an urgent necessity for New Zealand to extend her markets overseas,” said Mr Samuel, “ especially in England. There are great potential markets which require direct shipments, especially Glasgow. New Zealand must remember that owing to the low prices buyers are unusually critical and it is imperative to keep the standard high. “ It is essential that there should be the strictest examination of our cheese from the quality standpoint. Our cheese and butter position will have to be carefully watched if we are to maintain our reputation on the overseas markets. There is a danger of New Zealand butter losing its identity, as it is being blended in England and branded ‘ Empire product.’ Our lamb is highly thought of, but it is advisable that shippers should not send any inferior carcasses as the sale of these is apt to have an adverse reaction on our meat generally. It would be better if we sent superfine quality only. The honey position is good. “ We have an excellent sot of primary producers’ representatives in London,” Mr Samuel concluded,’ “ and they are doing everything possible under the most trying conditions.”