NEW ZEALAND’S ACHIEVEMENT IN FOOD EXPORTS

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 January 1949, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND’S ACHIEVEMENT IN FOOD EXPORTS

(N.Z.P.A.—Special—Copyright.) LONDON, Jan. 6 (Rec. 6 p.m.)— Referring to the fact that New Zealand exported to the United Kingdom during 1947 more than 6,500,000 cwt. of meat, 127,000 tons of butter, and 87,000 tons of cheese, the chairman} of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Coy., Ltd. (Mr. W. E H. Tatham), said, in a report presented at the annual meeting of the company in London: “These are remarkable achievements from a country whose total population is less than two millions, and whose area is much the same as that of the United Kingdom. They are a great tribute to the energy and skill of the farmers and to the productivity of the land. Rationed Britons have much cause to feel grateful to their fellow Britons in New Zealand, especially those of them who are concerned with food production.” Reviewing the company’s activities in New Zealand, Mr. Tatham said that at present all types of farming were, or should be, prosperous, especially those concerned with the production of butter and meat, for which there were continuing long-term, guaranteed purchase contracts, although, in common with Australia and the United Kingdom a high proportion of profits was absorbed by taxation. Discussing high wool prices, Mr. Tatham said there were clear signs that the sellers’ market was becoming less favourable to the manufacturers of exportable goods. This might mean that the manufacturers would be unable to pay as much they are doing at present for their raw material.