MARKETING OUR PRODUCE

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 26, 25 October 1921, Page 5

MARKETING OUR PRODUCE

Sir, the leading article of The Dominion of October 21 re the marketing problem, is indeed an object lesson for the farmer of this country, and a subject that has been neglected beyond all reason. That the farmer 'has been and is being exploited to perfection is evident to all thinking people. He has occasionally turned on some of the transgressors, but so far left the middleman undisturbed to carry on his business (if it can be termed business). Regarding the meat trade, the shipping companies and labour are indeed only , minor offenders compared with this man, and. with the co-operative marketing scheme pending I propose that we should take the bull by the horns and open up, say, a dozen retail shops in London offering to the public New Zealand products and New Zealand products only. These shopsto be fed from a headquarters capable of supplying and assisting private-owned enterprises of similar nature, also advertising the New Zealand article and by the sale of a first-class product impressing on tho consumer the fact that New Zealand leads in quality. It would involve a certain amount of capital, but it would be money well spent, and will repay tenfold. The much-talked-about farmers’ shipping line, I think, would be well left alone, at any rate in tho near future. Likewise I am of the opinion that if' tho farmer intends to take a stand against -the meat combines, the plSce to have- the bout is not in New Zealand, but in London. The co-operative mar- ' keting is the thin edge of the wedge, and in the hands of an absolutely trust-. worthy and pushing business man must ‘ prove a success and give to the farmer ' tho fair market value, be it 6d. or Is. Gd. Most certainly can New Zealand bargain for a wholehearted support from the Imperial Government, whose first and foremost interest is to encourage trade 1 between the Dominions and the Motherland, and thereby strengthen the bonds that tio these lands together, and do their utmost for fair play for the producers of tile Dominions—l am, etc., A.M. Eketahuna.