NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 55, 28 November 1921, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE

ENERGETIC MEASURE'S DEMANDED One day last week, states Mr. Stuart Wilson, I called on Mr. Lees, who i» shortly proceeding Home, along with a representative of the Farmers’ Union, to report on the'way our produce is distributed in the markets of tho Old Land. In conversation with Mr. Lees I gathered that he will be away for the Lest part of a year, and will then report to the Government as to what should be done for the more scientific marketing of our primary products. I must candidlv confess that if this.is the decision of the Prime Minister representing the Government, and of Mr. Poison, the president of the Farmers Union. I consider the method proposed is one that will delay reform in the most vital of the national question® which affect the lives of the inhabitants of the Dominion of Now Zealand. Every thinking person knows that strenuous competition looms Ahead in the markets of the world. lor argument’s sake wo will agree that the distribution of New Zealand produce during the last twenty years has been of a satisfactory nature. Even - admitting this, however, would it not be a far more businesslike proposition to organise and raise funds immediately to deal with this question? My contention is that, even if we agree that our methods during the past twenty years have been satisfactory, we should make strenuous efforts to try to improve them. However, every intelligent person in the, Dominion knows that this supposition will not bear examination, for we have been continually reminded during that period, in one hundred and one different ways, that the methods of marketing our produce still leave a great deal to he desired. Further, I contend, with all the earnestness at my command, that the proposed method of dealing with this question is merely postponing the solution of a problem which should be energetically deal with forthwith. Mr. Loes and the representative of the Farmers Unior. should receive the help of ono or two competent business men, thoroughly versed in the marketing of goods, and that they should go Home, with ample funds at their disposal, to take whatever steps they deem desirable for improvement. These men will be on the spot, and we must place confidence in them, and believe that they will spend the funds available as they, think best in the interests of the Dominion. If the proposals I have outlined were carried into effect it would not be noceftsary for the responsi.le authorities at this end in six months’ or a year’s- time to sit down and endeavour to find out the best method of handling the situation as explained bv our representatives at the other end, for by that time our representatives would, it is Io be expected, have carried out such reforms as they had found to be necessary and would'merely have to report the benefits that had accrued to the Dominion by their action, together with any further proposals or suggestions that they, in the light of their experience, think fit to formulate. This would mean that we. first of all, place' confidence in our representatives, and that, secondly, we will have th" satisfaction of knowing that the talk or, the iast twenty years has been relegated to oblivion, and that competent action is being taken for the benefit of the Dominion. My point is, emphatically, that "Timo is of the essence of the contract," and that under the present proposal’ most valuable time is lieing rost at the very time that every endeavour should be made to save it.