EXPORT OF PRODUCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22356, 1 September 1934, Page 25

EXPORT OF PRODUCE

BRITAIN THE BEST MARKET TRADE WITH JAMAICA (Special to Daily Times) WELLINGTON, August 31. Reference to overseas markets for New Zealand dairy produce is contained in the tenth annual report of the New Zealand Dairy Board. The report states; —■ “ Great Britain is still almost the only market for the Dominion’s export: produce, and statistics giving clear indication of this are supplied with this report. We give below some particulars of the markets in Canada, West Indies, Belgium and the East. “ Direct shipments to Canada for the season just ended have been 342 tons of butter as against 615 tons in 1932-33. As was suggested in our last annual report, the trade treaty between Canada and New Zealand has little value for the dairy producer. While the tank on butter entering Canada stands at the relatively low rate of five cents per pound, the Canadian Government has consistently discouraged importations from New Zealand during the past year. During February and March, 1934, very low butter stocks in Canada indicated a decided shortage, and in the face of such official discouragement some shipments went forward, but on arrival in Canada these were placed under bond by the Canadian Government. Small quantities were released from time to time when it was .thought that the market could absorb them, but the action was sufficient completely to stop further business. While such action is doubtless helpful to the Canadian dairy industry, yet it is clear that the treaty is of no permanent value to the New Zealand dairy industry. INTERESTING DEVELOPMENT.

“An interesting development in Canada was the formation in March, 1934, of the Canadian Dairy Farmers’ Federation. This organisation is taking steps to promote the formation of a dairy produce board on the lines of the Australian and New Zealand boards, the establishment of a national brand, the organisation of the domestic market, and .generally the improvement of quality. “During the year the New Zealam Trade Commissioner in Canada visitor the British West Indies and issued a very comprehensive report. Shipments of butter and cheese have been going to Jamaica over the last two years, quantities being: —1933-34, 317 tons butter and 14 tons cheese; 1932-33, 102 tons butter and —■ tons cheese.

“ The total imports into Jamaica of butter and cheese for the nine months ended September 30, 1933, were: —Butter 284 tons, cheese 143 tons, for which New Zealand supplied 87 per cent, of butter and 5 per cent, of cheese, while Canada supplied 3 per cent, of butter and 91 per cent, of cheese. Unfortunately, the problem of shipping is a difficult one, as only two of the Homewardbound steamers call in at Jamiaca, in both cases to replenish coal bunkers. For other steamers to make a call would mean guaranteed quantities, and this involves other practical difficulties. In the past Jamaica has imported New Zealand and other butters direct from London, but the New Zealand Trade Commissioner considers that the business will develop more by direct shipment, and the board is accordingly endeavouring to facilitate this wherever possible. New Zealand butter is also being shipped to the Bermudas.”