DOLLAR EARNINGS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27196, 27 September 1949, Page 6

DOLLAR EARNINGS

SUGGESTED EXPORTS GRASS SEED AND PEDIGREE STOCK : TRADE DEVELOPMENT Special to the Daily Times 1 WELLINGTON Sept. 26. One of the main matters under consideration at the recent meeting of the Dominion Council of Federated Farmers was the report of Mr R. G. Buckleton on his recent visit to Canada and the United States. Mr Buckleton put forward some concrete 'suggestions for expanding New Zealand’s trade with the dollar countries and thus providing some of the vitally needed dollars for the sterling area. The main suggestion put forward by Mr Buckleton' was that a dollar trade development company or a dollar trade export corporation should be set up in order to foster and expand New Zealand’s trade, particularly with the United States. Dollar Trade Company

This dollar trade development company, he suggested, should be comprised of representatives of the Government, of Federated Farmers, of the woollen mills, the importers from dollar sources, of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, and a member of the Aid for Britain National Council. He suggested that the company should have, initially, a capital of £25,000 three-fifths of which would be required to be available in' the United States and (or) Canada, and two-fifths in New Zealand. Mr Buckleton said that such a company could take action to obtain goods in New Zealand and promote the sale of them in the United States and Canada. He tabulated 33 different items which could be sold in the United Mr Buckleton told the council that it was his view, and that of Mr R. B. Tennent, Assistant Director-general of Agriculture, whom the Government had made available to assist in exploring the possibilities for the development of a market for New Zealand grass seed in the United States, that It would be possible to build up a market for grass seeds and for certain classes of live stock in the United States, but that this would be a slow and steady process rather than a spectacular development. In consequence of their investigations, they were both of the opinion that it would be very much to New Zealand’s advantage that an agricultural attache be appointed to the Washington Legation as soon as possible. Demand for Blood Stock Both Mr Buckleton and Mr Tennent were sure that there was a real opening for certain of the New Zealand -breeds of pedigree stock,in the United States, particularly for Corriedales, Romneys, and small numbers of Southdown sheep, and for Friesian and Jersey cattle. They suggested that this matter should be taken up with the respective breed societies in order to encourage the exhibition and sale of New Zealand sheep and cattle in the United States and Canada. They also suggested that arrangements should be made for publishing a blood stock review for the United States, since there appeared to be a good opening in America for New Zealand blood Finally, it was recommended that arrangements should be pushed forward for a tour of farm leaders, agrostologists, and extension officers from the United States to New Zealand. This proposal is regarded favourably in Washington, and it was recommended that the suggestion be implemented as quickly as possible. After hearing the report, the Dominion Council decided to give it its support, and has instructed that action be taken accordingly.