QUALITY FIRST.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 July 1933, Page 6

QUALITY FIRST.

In his message to the annual conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union the Governor-General expressed the opinion that there was a glimmer of hope for better prices for primary commodities, but that fluctuations in prices were probably unavoidable. There were, added Lord Bledisloe, many factors that pointed to keener discrimination between products of higher and lower quality, and he urged the perpetuation and increase of the efforts being made to keep up the quality of New Zealand primary exports. Two conditions, His Excellency considered were essential, namely, the maintenance of high quality live-stock and improvement in pasture management. In regard to live-stock Lord Bledisloe repeated his advice that, with due precautions, the embargo upon the introduction. of live-stock from Great Britain should be removed. That is a matter upon which opinions are divided, and, while it is possible to admire the Gov-ernor-General for having the courage of his opinions, the question resolves itself into whether the risk of introducing foot and mouth disease into New Zealand is one that should be taken for the sake of introducing new blood to the Dominion’s flocks and herds. The Daily News still maintains that the risk is too great, and so far that opinion appears to have the support of the majority of settlers. Ln regard to pasture management His Excellency’s comments are sure to receive the fullest consideration by the farming community. Research and practical experience have already demonstrated that much can be done to increase production and reduce costs by better handling of pastures. A further result has been the bringing into use of many areas of land formerly considered incapable of development, and their availability for close settlement purposes. Whatever may be the market conditions in Great Britain in the years that lie ahead it is certain that for a very long time there will always be a demand for high quality food supplies. “Quality first” is still the principle upon which the New Zealand export trade must be developed.