DAIRY EXPORTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19334, 26 May 1937, Page 5

DAIRY EXPORTS

REPLY TO COMPLAINT

SHIPPING PROVISIONS

SIMILAR TO- LAST YEAR

MINISTER'S EXPLANATION

(Special to the Herald.) AUCKLAND, this day

Stating that he regarded the new marketing policy as being soundly organised, the Minister of Agriculturej the Hon. W. Lee Martin, indicated in a telephone interview from Wellington to-day that by the end of May the shipment of dairy product* from. New Zealand would bo much the'same as last year.

The Minister's statement was a reply to criticism hinging upon alleged delays in the export of butter, the claim being made by Mr. E. S. Tremliirie, chairman of directors,of the Whangarei Co-operative Dairy Company; that none of the company s butter had been shipped since February 24, ItM/.

"I think the chairman of the company must have been misreported when-he is. made to say tlmt.no produce 'has been shipped since February of 1937," Mr. Lee Martin said. I believe that the dates mentioned arc not dates of shipment, but are for the grading of butter.

<'l have ascertained that the position regarding this company, and all other North Auckland and Waikato concerns, is that on May 22, the date of the press interview with Mr. Tremaine. all the produce in store up to March 3 had been shipped and paid for." New Marketing System Speaking generally on the question of the shipment of butter and cheese, the Minister said that one of the advantages of the present marketing plan was that more regular arrivals of butter and cheese could be secured than was possible in the past, and a better spread of the season's output could be made over the whole year. In addition, with the elimination ot the disturbing factor of outright f.o.b. sales, much more satisfactory and regular delivery had been made to all outports in the United Kingdom, the quantity shipped to these destinations being in accord with the local market. requirements.

"Mr. Lee Martin said he was sure that the attitude of a great majority of dairy company directors would be that, notwithstanding the Government was purchasing their produce, they aoproved of the methods of shipment, which were designed to ensure regular arrivals of butter and cheese at the main distributing ports of the United Kingdom in quantities to meet the market requirements. Anyextra cost for storage and interest would be very small indeed and would be covered in the fixation of the guaranteed price.

"It is generally recognised," the Minister added, "that there are diffi'culties in any contemplation of the purchase of butter and cheese, either in the factory or the grading store, and that the most suitable point ot purchase is at f.o.b. ocean steamer.