"WONDERFUL GOLDMINE”

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17944, 23 November 1932, Page 11

"WONDERFUL GOLDMINE”

PIG ijfbnSTEY prospects oKoAinsATioN or maeketing A wonderful goldmine in the pig industry is awaiting development, in tho opinion of Mr. Eliot R. Davis, a New Zealander in London, writing to Mr. W.j A. Phillips, chairman of directors of the New Zealand Co-operative Pig Marketing Association. Mr. Davis expressed himself in a cablegram as follows: “Congratulations on the excellent work of the association as indicated in the Weekly News, September 28. Urge farmers in their best interests to follow Denmark’s example of the co-operate association; also lose no time to increase production of best quality baconers and porkers to meet the demand created by the quota. My considered opinion is that prices will rise, with an unlimited demand.” In a prior letter, Mr. Davis wrote: — “I now believe the success or otherwise of the bacon side of the pork industry will solely depend upon the continuity of supply and the quality which the New , Zealand farmers produce, so they ought to go for their lives in New Zealand, and every day do their best to increase output. “I am more than ever convinced of the wonderful gold-mine waiting to bo developed in this direction in New Zealand. The same applies to eggs. I may say that reliable authorities hero agree with me absolutely, that the whole of the marketing conditions as applied to Mr Zealand produce are wrong—inciting butter—and they gave me several instances bearing out what they said. The same thing, of course, applies to pig products. “I am glad to see that you are extending your Co-operative Association further south, and if you could only get the farmers to see the tremendous advantage it would be to themselves to sell everything co-operatively through your association, you would be doing great work for the industry. Half the trouble in regard to prices for New Zealand producers caused by so many people handling it. “My friends here bear out everything I have previously told you about brokers selling bills of lading, and as long as they get even l-16th per cent, commission, they do not care how low they sell, provided they make their commission irrespective of the poor producers’ interests.

“Now that the pig business is starting,, to grow up, you should urge the farmers to get on. the right lines at the commencement, and they will reap the benefit. The indiscriminate buyers are not; giving a moment’s thought to the producers. All they are thinking about is how much' commission, they, can. make out of an article for which there is ,a constant demand, and accordingly, is easy to sell. If you get the farmers to see- it from this angle—which is so plainly visible to me on the spot here—you will he doing them a, great turn. In fact, it is a question of saving them for themselves. “I am so impressed with the marketing side of New Zealand, products generally that, before Mr. Downie Stewart gogs away, I am going to call a meeting of all interested in our products, and see whether something cannot be done to put things right—such men as Messrs. Forsyth, Wright, Davis, of the Dairy Board, then there are the honey peqple, wool, and so on, as .well as Sir Wilford and his principal agricufpTral officers. What is wanted is constructive work, and although to my it .is a very disordered condition, it jp quite capable of being put on to a proper footing. It all boils down to the one word—‘cooperation.’ ”