DAIRY EXPORT TRADE

Wairarapa Age, 13 February 1934, Page 7

DAIRY EXPORT TRADE

QUOTA TALK IN BRITAIN. WATCH OVER NEW ZEALAND INTERESTS. CAMPAIGNS TO EXTEND SALES. LONDON, January 9. The year 1933 was a revolutionary period for ; British farmers and, though it cannot be said that they look forward with great confidence to the future, there seems no reason why a gradual but steady progress should not be maintained; chiefly because, encouraged by vthe Marketing Acts, they have for the first time made some effort to co-operate for their common good. Nevertheless, the marketing schemes, particularly the Milk Marketing Board, continue to be the subject of adverse criticisms. While opinions are divided on the general policy of the board, there is no doubt that a, great many more people are now alive to the delicate situation which may arise as a result of the board’s attitude on the imports of New Zealand produce. The growing volume of opinion that the Milk Marketing Board is ill-advised in its insistence on the desirability of a quota and would be better employed in regulating the activities of foreigners, is largely due to the careful manner in which the interests of New Zealand are being watched by those concerned in this country. AN ABSURD STATEMENT.

Early in December a statement reputed to have been made at a meeting of the Conservative Parliamentary Agricultural Committee was given wide publicity in the Press. This was to the effect that, while New Zealand butter was being sold in this country at 7d a lb. (a doubtful and, if true, certainly exceptional figure), the retail price in New Zealand was 2s 3d to 2s 6d. The New Zealand Dairy Produce Board lost no time in circulating a denial. The maximum current price in New Zealand, ascertained by cable immediately was shown to be lOd a lb., a figure obviously no higher than the average price in this country, where in many districts lid or Is is charged. The prompt action of the New Zealand Board, coupled with the repudiation by Mr. J. H. Thomas, Secretary of State for the Dominions, in the House of Commons of the alleged 4 * dumping” of New Zealand butter, provided an effective counter to a statement which, though obviously absurd to well-informed persons, might have gained credence among the general public. PACIFIC SHIPPING MISUNDERSTANDING. The references to Pacific shipping, Which were made at the annual general meeting of the P. and 0., by the Hon. Alexander Shaw, the chairman,' have no doubt been extensively reported in the New Zealand' press. Though perfectly clear to shipping circles, the manner in which Mr. Shaw’s remarks were presented in the English press was likely to cause an impression that New Zealand was in some Way responsible for the participation of foreign shipping in the transport of dairy and other produce from the Dominion to the United Kingdom. Here again the. New Zealand Dairy Board intervened, and an explanation of the position was circulated in the press. It was pointed out that Mr. Shaw referred solely to certain reservations of traffic, chiefly by subsidised American companies, in the Pacific trade, a matter beyond the powers or province of New Zealand, who could not alone interfere in a question involving considerations of policy so wide in scope as to require the joint consideration of the Home Country and the Dominions concerned. A pledge was included that the British public could rest assured that, as far as the Dairy Board was concerned, all New Zealand butter and cheese shipped to the United Kingdom from the Dominion would continue to be carried as in the past, in British vessels. PORT CHALMERS’ MAIDEN TRIP.

To-day the Port Chalmers, the first to be completed of nine new cargo vessels ordered for the United King-dom-New Zealand food trade, will leave London on her first voyage. To mark the occasion, the Commonwealth and Dominion Line, in conjunction with the New Zealand Dairy Produce Board and the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, entertained a party on board last Friday, when an informal inspection of the vessel and its equipment was made. During a ceremony held on the ship’s bridge, which was decorated with fern fronds, the commander, Captain S. W. Hayter, was presented with a New Zealand greenstone miniature of a Maori tribal god. The Port Chalmers is fitted with the latest scientific equipment for the storage and conveyance of dairy produce and meat. The owners have expressed their confidence that by the use of this equipment New Zealand produce will arrive in the United Kingdom in the freshest possible condition. LONDON AGENCY CAMPAIGNS.

The activities of the London agency of the Dairy Produce Board in encouraging the sale of New Zealand butter and cheese, continue to attract considerable notice. Localities where habit or prejudice hag hindered the popularity of the Dominion produce are selected for special attention and the field of operations chosen for this month was Northern Ireland, where the public has been used to butter of an extremely pale colour. The project of the board has been received sympathetically in Belfast and valuable cooperation has been given by important members of the community. Lady Craigavon, in the absence through illness of Lord Craigavon, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, opened the board’s exhibition shop in Belfast.

The Northern Ireland Ministers of Agriculture and Commerce were also present at the ceremony, during which a telegram was received from Lord Carson in London expressing his sympathy with the campaign. In her speech Craigavon referred to the happy memories which she and Lord Craigavon had of their visit to New Zealand. Every Christmas, she said, they received a wonderful assortment of annuals from New Zealand, which brought back the happiest memories to them. It was always their hope that they would go back again because they had received the kindest hospitality from everybody there.