THE ARGENTINE

Southland Times, Issue 19502, 17 March 1925, Page 2

THE ARGENTINE

A PROGRESSIVE COUNTRY. AUCKLAND, March 13. The progress of the 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 has a ranch in the Corioba province. He arrived by the Maheno from Sydney. ‘*The Argentine has now a very firm hold on the Home markets for butter, cheese, grain, and cattie,” said Mr Reynolds. The Argentine farmers had nothing to learn in the producing of grain and in the rearing of cattle, but they were exceedingly interested in the Dominion’s methods of buttermaking. The butter industry was a comparatively new one, and it was realised that to get the best results the very best quality was required.

Mr Reynolds recalled the time during his early days in the Argentine when butter was an “extra” and a luxury in hotels, and on trains it was not provided unless asked for. Now the internal consumption was as great as in the case of all primary products and although, perhaps, the Argentine was not increasing her exports as might be expected, this factor had to be kept in view. “I think that the Argentine’s products will become the greatest competing factor on the English markets,” he continued. “Labour, rents, and land are very cheap, and consequently we can turn out a cheaper article than the Dominion. The land is naturally rich, and practically no manure is required. We are only three weeks away from London, and shipments are frequent and regular.” Mr Reynolds said he believed that New Zealand was at a distinct disadvantage because her butter was controlled by a board and not allowed to be sold on the markets under a certain price. The Argentine product could be placed on the open market at any time of the year and sold at practically any ruling price, with a profit to the producer. “New Zealand has not yet felt the Argentine’s competition to any great extent, but the strain will be felt. At the present time the world’s markets can consume everything produced, but if there were ever a glut and it came to downright competition, I feel sure New Zealand would- never stand up to it on account of the high land values, the high cost of labour, and the consequent high cost of production, and the distance from the great market centres. I do not think, however, that such a time will come. The world’s population is always increasing.”