OUR PRODUCE AT HOME

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2282, 16 October 1914, Page 8

OUR PRODUCE AT HOME

HINTS FOR NEW ZEALAND. At the Central Chamber of Commerce last night an interesting address on "New Zealand's Trade With Great Britain" was delivered by Major A. E. M. Norton, D.5.0., F.R.G.S. Mr. C. M. Luke presided. In the course of his remarks, Major Norton said that the public in England required to be educated in preparing the products of the colonies. It was possible to: demonstrate to the consuming public. In regard to butter, he found that-it nas being sold-on open consignment to somo of the biggest butter-blending establishments in the United Kingdom.. It was not in the interests of the producort. Grocers had told him in Englaud that the Australian and New Zealand butter could not be equalled, yet the selling agents said that the grocers could not sell it, because they could not got it throughout the year, and the customers preferred blended butter. It was not in the interests of the New Zealand producers that their butter should go into blending institutions, where the brand became lost. New Zealand had been exporting good butter for twenty years, but New Zealand butter was not known in England, because the brands had not l)een put beforo the public. He ventured to say they could not buy New Zealand butter there, with the New Zealand brand.

The British public were intensely patriotic, aud quite realised what' the colonies were doing in the present war. When the war was over the English people would want to reciprocate and buy New Zealand and other products. At present tho Englishman could hardly buy any New Zealand produce, as such, because the products were not brought, beforo tho consuming public. Ninety per cent, of New Zealand honey was being sold as English honey. They should get the Now Zealand products on the English market under their own brands, and should educate the consumers ta ask for them.

■Major Norton invited questions. Mr. A.- Leigh Hunt asked what he considered tin; best methods to bo taken by this country, by collective, operation of the trade houses, or co-operative associations, to carry out his suggestion. Major Norton said that first .he thought the New Zealand products fhould be shown at every leading grocers' exhibition in- England. Products should also bo taken to tbo port nearest the consumer, and they sbould elimato all unnecessary middlemen. The Mitside ports had ample moans for providing storage. On the motion of Mr. Luke, a hearty vote of thanks was extended to the lecturer.