THE BRITISH MARKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 3898, 27 November 1928, Page 33

THE BRITISH MARKET.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Representatives of various British oirtports have been touring New Zealand lately to endeavour to induce producers to send more produce direct to their particular port and district of the Home Country. The one answer to all their arguments, however, is that the merchants at those ports are not prepared to take a risk and lodge definite orders for produce on a -c.o.b. or c.i.f. basis. On the other hand the whole of the risk has to be accepted by the producer, who must be satisfied to allow his goods to take their chance in the open market. London merchants are more sporty, and are not afraid to take a risk. London undoubtedly offers the best opportunities for marketing produce, If there is a glut on the London market the surplus produce is sent to the provinces, where it finds an outlet. If it is shipped direct to ontports, however, and there is a gliit nn these markets, the produce has to be sent back to London, and it is then found that it is very difficult to dispose or it. In any case, the return to the producer is very- unsatisfactory. Before the sale of the Commonwealth Line, direct shipments were made tc various ontports, but the return to the producer was generally- very unsatisfactory. _ Very often it was found that by the time the consignments reached their destination there was no demand for them, and they had to be re-shipped to London. —I am, etc., A. W. Pearse, Representative for Australia and New Zealand. Port of London Authority, Sydney. November 15: