PRIMARY PRODUCERS,

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19638, 26 July 1935, Page 6

PRIMARY PRODUCERS,

PROBLEMS OF MARKETING. . NEED OF REGULATION. SIR F. FRAZER’S COMMENT. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. Some of the problems to be faced by the primary producers’ boards in the marketing of their products were referred to by Sir Francis Frazer, deputy-chairman of the Executive Commission of Agriculture, in an ad- \ dress to the New Zealand Fruit Export Control Board’s conference today. ■-j \ Sir Francis said that although prices , in the last marketing season had generally been satisfactory, it was, however, signifleant that their improvement coincided with the lightening of the apple load on New Zealand’s prin-’ cipal market, clearly indicating the importance of the regulation of supply within reasonable consumptive limits. The main aim of the board had been to secure a premium price by concentrating on quality, and that had tended to regulate the export volume, but the problem ahead of the board, as far as Britain, at any rate, was concerned, was not merely the inainten- / . ance of quality, but reasonable regulation of quantity. In considering that aspect, it had to he remembered that New Zealand was not the only off-sea-son supplier of apples to Britain, and " that made the matter of international co-operation one of vital importance. In that respect it was gratifying to note Ibat a distinct move had been made by the Dominion with its principal competitor, Australia.

Dominion Mark Scheme.

Dealing with export markets, Sir Francis said Iho Fruit Board had realised the seriousness of the dangers that tho future might reveal if the industry were content to rely almost exclusively on Britain, and the fact that even during the past season, whetj. international trading was ditllcult, nearly 25 per cent of the exported fruit went to markets other than Britain was indicative of the board’s progressive policy. The local market, said Sir Francis, was not receiving as much attention as was being given to the export trade. The local market should bo —and possibly it was—the best market the fruitgrowers had. It was realised that this phase of fruit trading was far more difllcult to organise and control. One of the difficulties, hitherto insurmountable, was the part played by low-grade fruit in depressing the market, lo the detriment of fruit of good quality. Sir Francis said he understood that there was a danger of the Dominion mark scheme being withdrawn. The withdrawal of the scheme was to be regretted, unless the Industry had something belter in mind.