EMPIRE AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1925, Page 2

EMPIRE AFFAIRS

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] WELCOMED BY BEAT IMPORTERS LONDON, August 11. The meet importers welcome the proposed expenditures (as recommended in the Economic- Committee’s report) on research for chilled beef, because the low temperature research station at Cambridge, which, up to the present, has been doing excellent work in this direction, is greatly handicapped by the smallness of the funds available. The proposals for marking Empire goods meet with general approval, though it is pointed out the Australian and New Zealand egg trade is likely to .stiller if each egg is marked with the country of origin, for housewives and tea shops are hardly likely to buy eggs which hear visible evidence that, they are eight cweeks old; so consequently their sale will he chiefly to cake ntakers and pastrycooks who cannot afford to pay two pence apiece wholesale, which was the price realised last season. WHAT TRADERS THINK. LONDON. August 11. Inquiries among the handlers of Dominion produce failed to discover any groat enthusiasm about the Economic Committees recommendations. This indifference is apparently due to the fact that traders generally, as the rosuli of previous experiences, have not much faith iu Government interference in business, and, also, the need of assistance does not at present appear urgent, as. with the exception of frozen beef, practically all Dominion produce has been selling remarkably well, making line prices this season, there being also no reason to anticipate any decrease in the demand unless something exceptional happens. The advertising scheme is regarded as likely to prove helpful in popularising Empire products. A I’RODLCEICS CRITICISM. LONDON, August 11. Commenting on the Economic Committee’s report. Mr Ren Morgan, (.chairman of the Council of the llrit.i sli Empire Producers’ Organisation criticises the recommendations, Ik says: “The producers would much have preferred the Committee to have reviewed the more practical and immediate problems with which the whole position is involved, like grading, packing, warehousing, shipping, storage and selling methods, also co-operative selling and marketing. The Committee could practically assist most of those by .giving a lead to a general policy rendering financial assistance, in the form of bounties of grants to specific industries. This would he extremely valuable, especially to younger industries. and those barely surviving as the result of foreign competition. Tin producers will welcome the research proposals. We consider the recommendation to spend (it per cent, on advertising out of proportion. Our first attention should ho directed to grading packing, and practical marketing, to ensure ample supplies coming forward in a continual stream, one part of the Empire supplementing another in different seasons. Then should come intensive advertising.” Mr Cramsie gave it as his opinion that the recommendations should ho welcomed by the Dominions, ax this would spur on the producers to Improve their production, grading, and packing, thereby enabling the consumers in Britain to secure a guaranteed regular supply of Empire products at a price well within their purchasing power. He emphasised the necessity for thorough scientific research into re frigerating. He hoped the proposed Committee would favourably consider the question of cold storage in tho t inted Kingdom, and ocean freights. He declared that, freight assistance for transporting stud stock would give the Dominions an opportunity to bring flocks and herds of the highest standard of quality. He was sure an advertising campaign could educate millions to the necessity for the desirability of demanding Dominion products where home grown products were not available. SIR J. ALLEN’S VIEWS. LONDON. August 11. Referring to the Economic Commission’s recommendations, Sir .lames Allen said that if the Imperial Government spends CIioO.IHK) upon educating the public, and insists on marking and labelling goods with the country of their origin, the result inevitably will be of benefit to the Dominions, 'fiioy would give hosts of consumers an opportunity of buying Empire goods. New Zealand meat supplies were adequdatc all the year long. As soon as the Dairy Board was effectively functioning. butter and cheese supplies would lie continuous.