CEYLON TEA CAMPAIGN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17954, 5 December 1932, Page 10

CEYLON TEA CAMPAIGN

FUNDS FOR ADVERTISING TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA On October 18 the State Council of Ceylon, without a division, carried a motion sanctioning an export duty of 50 cents (8d) per 1001'b. of tea exported from the island, for purpose of providing an income for the Ceylon Tea Propaganda Board. It was stated during the debate that the board would spend nearly 1,500,000 rupees (£IOO,000) a year when its operations in various parts of the Empire were func- ] tioning. It is held that a sales and publicity ' director is needed for Australia, who i would also act as goodwill officer bei tween Ceylon growers and the Australian trade. Working in connection with a nation-wide advertising organisation this official would plan publicity drives and exploit every possible means of influencing public opinion in flavor of Ceylon teas. It- is argued that an anomaly of the‘present trade situation is that lack of quality in her j fruit exports prevents Australia from I enjoying the full volume of trade posYililo with Ceylon, while the opposite reason lias diminished Ceylon’s share of the Australian tea market, i The Times of Ceylon of October 21 editorially remarks that a publicity Campaign for Ceylon teas in Australia would be futile unless it were aceomipanied by a guarantee that Ceylon would substantially reap the benefits 'of the increased sales stimulated by the propaganda. It is admitted Australian exporters of flour, butter, cheese and fruits would strongly resist ! any preference which might lead to re--1 taiiation by the Dutch, and thus affect the Australian export trade, nevertheless, if preference may be ruled out as a forlorn hope, there is much Australia could do by way of legislation to assist Ceylon tea, such as providing for a compulsory marking of all packet teas.' The only way, however, Ceylon can increase her export of tea to Australia is by talcing a larger proportion of Australian produce. This is a npitter largely for Australians, An increase .in the Commonwealth’s trade with (Ceylon can only be brought about if , greater attention is paid to quality.