EXPORT MARKETS

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24912, 27 June 1946, Page 4

EXPORT MARKETS

FUTURE COMPETITION ’ POSSIBLE ADVICE TO NEW ZEALAND FARMERS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June to •Tn a few years New ZealafH m2; have to shade the prices ot its oh mary exports in competition withoffii producing countries, said the Dirw tor-General of Agriculture (Mr E j Fawcett), speaking to the annual cm! ference of delegates of agriculture and pastoral associations to-d« While they were safe because of th, present world food shortages, thm should look for outlets for their nrr. ducts other than the United Kingdom he said. They should concentSfe m ' improving stock, and on stock farm management. New Zealand should do everythloo possible to meet the requirements d the United Kingdom, and to preserve its main market, but it could not afford to ignore alternative outlets for products, as they were now grown or in some other form which might jl* more suited to future trade, said Mr Fawcett. It was more than possible, in spite of international co-operation, thst New Zealand rwould in future be required to shade prices in competition with other producing countries, n was therefore all the more necessary that the Royal Agricultural Society d New Zealand snould redouble its efforts to encourage further improvement in stock, and in stock and ft™ management. When competition came the Do. minion could still be able to otter the highest quality foods at prices which would allow full consumption, while enabling farmers to maintdm their standard of living and leave the land at present under their control more ferule than when they entered into < possession. “The development of our expat trade has essentially rested on the guaranteed continuity of quality products resulting from producer-initia-tive, associated with scientific methods ot processing and strict grading under Government control,” said Mr Fawcett. In 1939 farm products represented 95.8 per cent, of export trade. Livestock products, in the form of meat, wool, butter, cheese and by-produete represented 93.6 of the total. This illustrated the high degree of specialisation achieved in the primary export field, and was a possible weakness in the country’s economy. It was only by expanding agriculture, both for export and internal requirements, that the country could maintain its present favoured position.