The Waikato Independent SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1930. WHY DANISH?

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2424, 6 December 1930, Page 4

The Waikato Independent SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1930. WHY DANISH?

The pronounced disparity between prices offered for Danish and New Zealand butter is a matter that continues to cause, the greatest concern to not only producers, but the majority of people in this Dominion. The situation has been commented upon time and again, and the question is always asked, why should there be such a marked difference in price, when it has been established by British scientists that the quality of New Zealand produce is -at the very least equal to any other country's butter and cheese? It certainly savours of antagonism at the marketing end, and there is an increasing opinion in this country that such a feeling of hostility is indirectly brought about by influences in The Do/minion. As pointed out. recently: by the member for the district, Mr Fred. Lye, w r e have had the unhappy experience of an attempt at price fixation, and we have reason to remember the results. To-day prices for Dominion dairy produce are about as low as they can possibly sink to, and we realise the urgent need for the exploration of every possible channel to create an improvement. We believe it can be brought about by seeking to establish a better understanding and a greater degree of co-operation between the two ends of the industry—the producers and the consumers—rather . than by again adopting something in the nature of a Napoleonic attitude those who have their fingers upon the pulse of tho Home markets. There has been talk of a marketing federation embracing the dairying interests of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, and after, recognising that such an organisation would be a very powerful one, wo are still of opinion that those interested would be w r ise to associate cooperation with their constitution, -rather than endeavour to force the hands of Toolcy Street. The same applies to any national scheme that might be taken up at the, present time by the dairying interests of this Dominion. Touching upon the same subject, remarks made by the Prime Minister, Hon. Geo. Forbes, in the course of a speech at the London Chamber of Commerce, and reprinted from the ‘ 1 New Zealand New'S,” will, be' of interest. Mr Forboss said: “In respect of interimperial trade, there‘•must,-in my opinion, bo greater Empire goodwill, sympathy and consideration on the parr, of those who direct the channels of trade and those wdio handle Empire goods. Let me give a concrete instance. New Zealand butter has been declared by the British Medical Research Council to be superior to any in its all-tlie-ycar-round food value ,or vitamin content, due largely in the first instance to the green pastures the cow's feed on all the year round. Yet to-day, and for some time past, this country has been paying considerably over 20/- a cwt. more for Danish butter. (The difference has since increased to 30/- and even more). This disparity in price cannot be due to quality. To what is it due? At Newcastle, at present, there is a large floating dock being built for New' Zealand involving large expenditure, but that district to which our money is go- j ing is chiefly devoted to Danish butte:. i These are anomalies we want your help in overcoming. We arc anxiously looking for a revival of our produce • mar- | kets in Britain, and when that comes

we shall be in smooth water again, and once more be purchasing from you at full capacity. And when I say full capacity, do not view our purchasing power by the size of our population, but from the comparison that, to-day, every Now Zealandcr individually buys from you £l4 11/- worth of goo.ls, a.s against the Russian's 6d, the German's 11/6. the Dutchman's £2 16/3, the Frenchman 's 4 15/5, the Brazilian's 6/10, and tho Argentina ?s £2 12/10. The New Zealandcr is the highest individual buy-

cr in the world, and his custom is surely worth having." With the Imperial Conference in view at that time, and earnestly hoping that it would be productive of trade relations on more favourable terms to the Dominions, Mr Forbes might have added it was a great pity the Home Government and . its Labour associates did not appreciate more the great individual purchasing power of the grouped Dominions. Some idea of that power can be gained by ■the figures quoted by Mr Forbes for New Zealand alone.