THE EASTERN MARKET

Putaruru Press, Volume XII, Issue 563, 15 March 1934, Page 1

THE EASTERN MARKET

PROSPECTS IN INDIA For Butter and Frozen Meat. Visitor’s Advice to Producers That New Zealand had a rare chance to dispose of some of her surplus dairy produce in the Eastern markets, and should organise energuucally to this end before the opportunity was missed through others getting in ahead of her, was' the reiterated statement made by Colonel Thompson, a visitor to New Zealand, to a Matamata Record representative this week.

Colonel Thompson is a retired officer of the British Army. He served for about four years under the Indian Government, and is thus in a position to speak with authority on this question, especially as his duties gave him close contact with the organisation of army and civilian food supplies. Colonel Thompson is on holiday in New Zealand. He in- I tends to stay at Okoroire for five * months. India’s Hurdles Discussing the disposal of butter- | fat produce, Colonel Thompson said he thought there should be no margarine on the retail market when 1 good butter could be obtained at rea- j sonable prices. Pure butter was such a factor in good health that it was essential that this point should be emphasised among all likely consumers. In the East there were several hundreds of millions of people who could not produce butter, owing to disease and climatic influences. Disease was so rampant in India that within 12 hours an owner could lose a flock or herd of 500 animals. Foot and mouth disease was so common that about 50 per cent, of the stock in the country always had it. Anthrax, rinderpest and diseases caused by intestinal worms also wrought havoc among the stock, which were of poor breeding, and of low yielding capacity either for milk, meat or wool.

Nor was it easy to inspect for remedial measures as, as far as the cow. was concerned, officials were immediately up against the Hindu -religion, part of which was the worship of the cow. Meat offered for sale was subject to municipal inspection in the slaughterhouses and markets, but because of the feeling of the people all killing had to be done by Mohammedans, who first of all recited certain phrases from the Khoran. Many native prejudices were rapidly dying out amongst the educated classes, and this assisted to make the immediate market wider. If it were necessary, however, Mohammedans could perform the rites before export, so that there would be no prejudice against the sale of New Zealand meat to natives of In-

dia, which might be treated locally by the dry-freezing process which kept meat perfectly sound in the hottest climate for six days. But, of

| course, killing for the white popula- | tion of India could be carried out in ! this country under existing arrange- ■ ments. Poor Quality Meat 1 It was hard for anyone not knowing Indian conditions to realise the poor type of meat which was sold. As an indication, he mentioned that I die had seen sheep killed which dressed as low as 101 b in weight. To a New Zealander this might sound incredible, but nevertheless it was a

fact, and as there were no religious prejudices in regard to killing sheep it would be seen that there was a good opening for the export of mutton and lamb. All meat killed in India had to be consumed within the day. If the klling were done, say, at 7 or 8 p.m., the carcase would have to be consumed next day or else it would go had, even though kept on ice in the interval. The big, rich centres, like Calcutta, Madras, Bombay, Simla and Delhi, and also the British Army, represented very valuable consuming factors, and there was great scope for export if New Zealand seized the opportunity before it was too late owing to others getting in first,

working up a connection and establishing vested interests. New Zealand meat could be put on the market in any of the above centres. In fact, the Indian railway system was so good that New Zealand produce could be marketed easily in any centre within 50 miles of the railway. Large White Population

Many people were inclined to the belief that the market was negligible, but this was far from being the case. There were 76,000 white troops alone, who had a ration of fresh meat daily, while the white civilian population was very considerable. On top of this there was a very fair proportion of likely consumers amongst the natives. An indication of the white population would be gained from the fact that in Calcutta alone there were 26,000 white males eligible for Territorial Military Service. The dry-freezing and vacuum processes were ideal for the Eastern markets, but it was essential that inmmediate action be taken to secure the best results,

It was only in the Himalayan districts that there were pastures of any extent, and apples could be grown. Kulu and Maini Tal were the best apple-growing districts, yet it was not profitable to sell these 50 miles from the orchards owing to the high cost of native transport where there were no railways. The natives were peculiar in their prejudices, and could not be kept steadily at work on such transport at a reasonable cost owing to these prejudices. It was a fact thpt Canadian, South African or New Zealand apples could be sold cheaper near the Himalayan Mountains than those grown on the spot, as it were. It was difficult to make those who had not lived in India appreciate this point fully, but never- ; theless it was a great factor in esti- : mating the importance of a market.

Native Prejudice

I On the Karachi wharf, for instance, there might be an abundance of work at top wages, but after working two days the natives would stop, as they had made their requirements for the week, and they could see no reason to work longer. The native was like the Maori in his commercial habits, ar.d their habits and customs were very strongly ingrained. New Zealand’s greatest potentiality was its capacity for butterfat production, and to secure the utmost from this and other products such as meat, it was essential that every effort be made to secure a footing in new" markets. India offered this opportunity, and he urged immediate action to secure a footing in the East in general. It was a market for all time, for disease, climatic conditions, the poor type of local animal and native disorganisation were insurmountable factors which would prevent India ever producing sufficient first-class butter or meat for her own requirements. Fresh fish could be bought anywhere in India within radius of the railways, so that it would seem that transport was already available. The average price of meat in India was 8d per pound for the poor quality stuff offering, and with mutton the question of caste did not arise. The butter on the market was of a rancid type, which was sold at a higher price, and there was no real butter such as was made in New Zealand. In regard to cheese the remarks made applied in a lesser degree. All that was now wanted Was an active, well-organised co-operative effort to supply a demand for these products wh'eh could never be filled in India except from outside sources. It was certainly advisable to keep hammering away at old markets, but new ones should not be neglected. No country can stand still—it must either advance and expand or . but le£- us not even consider the alternative.

The Matamata Record makes the following comment: —

The suggestion that there is a considerable market for New Zealand farm products in India, which was made by a retired Imperial Army officer in an interview with, a representative of this paper, and which interview we publish in this issue, is one which should undoubtedly receive the attention of those in authority. The facts presented speak for themselves and, as emphasised, no time should be lost in trying out this new area. There is a big danger that the difficulties now being met with in England may so closely absorb the attention of the authorities that opportunities in other directions may be missed. This seems quite likely, for without being at all carping it is a fair statement to make that the lead given by the Prime Minister for many months past has not only betrayed a resignation on his part to events as they are, but has been tinged with defeatism, as instanced by his recent speeches, which indicate an acceptance of the quota principle and a reiterated hope that something may turn up. It is quite clear to those who have studied the trend of recent international events that nothing will turn up, and that if a nation is to keep afloat at a reasonable standard of living it must be up and doing, and not resign itself to the consequences of the extraordinary swing to economic nationalism which has closed many overseas markets since the Great War. Australia has set a lead which may be copied. In their determination to be captains of their own souls Australians have for once given New Zealanders a big lead. Already Australia has sent trade delegations to the East, and success has attended her efforts, as is evidenced by her increased trade in this quarter. A I few years ago Australia was hit to a far greater extent than New Zealand was from an economic point oi view. Torn at the same time by internal political strife she was, ac- - 1 cording to overseas critics, econom- - j ically dead—but she refused to li< i down. Instead she explored the mar

kets near at hand. with success and thereby gave a lessen to her supposedly more virile neighbour. Unless New Zealand acts and acts quickly she will find that Australia has got in well ahead of her in markets which may well absorb a very fair proportion of the surplus of our Dominion but not of both.

There was a time when New Zealand led the world; when worldfamed jurists came to study our laws. To-day it must be admitted New Zealand lags behind—waiting to see what other nations do, or for something to turn up.

It is unthinkable that the idea of a quota can be accepted. It is wrong fundamentally, as to limit foodstuffs while millions go short is absurd. But if, of course, others insist—which is unlikely if we play our part in the Ottawa Agreement then to accept the inevitable is to admit defeat and to advertise to the world that the virility of the AllBlacks has no counterpart amongst our politicians. A lead to the Government has been given on many occasions. In this issue additional proof from a highly-placed authority is offered of a certain market in India. The time for talk of corners and hope for something to turn up is long past. It is the duty of the Government to " cease dilly-dallying at Waitangi and other centres, and to formulate a constructive policy which will ensure that the opportunities offering are seized so that once again New Zealand will play its part in world affairs as it did a decade ago.