REGULATING THE MARKETS

Waikato Times, Volume 87, Issue 13273, 31 August 1916, Page 2

REGULATING THE MARKETS

VALUE TO PRODUCER. THE AMERICAN .METHOD. The regulation of markets for agricultural products is a. matter given careful attention in the United States. I lie methods adopted to this end were studied liv Mr E. Clifton, Commissioner inr New Zealand at the Panama Exhibition, during his sojourn in the States. He tolu a 1 nut s representatne that in the Slate of- California a market commissioner had been appointed. The asfia: ions or producers who wished to pass their products through the com- j tnisioiier's hands were charged merely a. nominal tee, which, spread over all, was oJilv sufficient to pay the salaries of the commissioner and his staff. Ihe commissioner regulated the market by holding hack or putting forward supplies as necessity warranted, so that stability and uniformity of prices were maintained the whole year round. Ihis prevented gluts, : ind the consequent small return to the producers, and exploitation on the part of the _ wholesalers. The system was working admirably when Mr Clifton left America, and inose associated with the project uere highly satisfied with the results. Mr Clifton said there were spasmodic efforts on the part of New Zealand to ; dispose of fruit in California. The only j way to achieve the slightest measure of success in this was to send none but ; ihe very best fruit that could be pro- ! dneed in the Dominion. Mr Clifton believes that it is rather to the markets i on the Atlantic coast that the New Zealand fruitgrowers should address themselves. Here there was great possibilities for developing markets.