ARGENTINE’S PROGRESS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16680, 12 March 1925, Page 2

ARGENTINE’S PROGRESS.

IN PRIMARY PRODUCTIONS. A BIG COMPETITOR, (Special to the Herald.) t AUCKLAND, this day. The progress of Argentine as a primary producing country Was outlined by Mr W. Reynolds, a New Zealander, who left about 19 years ago to try his fortunes there, and now lias a, ranch in the Cordoba province. He arrived by the Maheno from Sydney on a visit to relatives. Argentina has now a very firm hold on the Home markets for butter, cheese, grain, and cattle, Air Reynolds said. Argentine farmers had nothing to learn in producing grain and in the rearing of cattle, but, lliey were exceedingly interested in the Dominion methods of butter-making. The butter industry was a comparatively new one, and'it was realised that to get the best results the very best quality was required. Air Reynolds recalled the time during his early days in the Argentine when butter was an “extra” and luxury in hotels and on trains. It was not provided fin leas asked for. Now the internal consumption was great, as in the case of all primary products, and although perhaps the Argentine was not increasing Iter exports as might he expected, this factor had to he kept in view.

“I think that Argentine produets will become the greatest, competing factor on the English markets,” he. continued. “Labor, rents, and jo nil ore very cheap, and consequently we ran turn nut a cheaper article than the Dominion. The land is naturally rich, and practically no man tire is required. We are only Ihnfo weeks away from London, and shipments are frequent and regain r.” Mr Reynolds believed that New Zealand was at a distinct disadvantage, incause her butter was controlled by a Heard and not allowed to he sold on tlis markets tinder a certain price. The Argentine product could he placed on the open market, at, any time of the year, and sold at practically any ruling price with profit to (lie producer. .“New Zealand has not. felt Argentine compelilion to any great extent, lint, the strain will he felt,” he said. “At the present time the world’s markets can consume everything produced, hut if I here were ever a glut, and it came tr. downright bedrock competition, I feel sure New Zealand would never stand up to it. on account of the high land values, high cost of .labor, and the consequent high cost of production and distance from the great market centres. Ido not think, however, that such a time will come. The world’s population is always increasing; there was very keen competition in the meat, trade between American and British firms, and the grazier received benefit of this in the high prices for his stock. As an indication of the immense possibilities of the country, there had recently been big developments in the cotton industry in the north. Much capital was being put into the venture. The Argentine was not afflicted with the weevil disease prevalent among the cotton growing lands of North America, The prices were so encouraging that keen interest was being taken in the industry.”