The Guardian And Evening Star, with Which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1927. A NEGLECTED DUTY.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with Which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1927. A NEGLECTED DUTY.

The world's greatest populations are north of the equator, and New Zealand is at the height of its food production during the “off” season in these countries. This is the outstanding factor which prompts the Prime Ministey in calling a conference of commercial and other interests before the coming session, with the object of discussing proposals for developing New Zealand’s export trade. It is considered that the time is particularly suitable for such a move, because inter-Empire trade is a live subject. However, the markets of the East are also to receive the attention of the conference. In the latter case. New Zealand’s difficulty in the past has been high freights. Reasonable transport conditions are only possible where substantial cargoes can be offer- ■ ed. and most of New Zealand’s exports to the East, at present go via Australia. The coming conference will discuss the general situation taking into account shipping facilities and possibilities of improvement. It will probably bo followed by negotiations between the New Zealand Government and other governments. Thus it is important to hold the conference before the session, as some of its decisions may ultimately take shape in amendments of the Customs tariff, which is down for attention bv legislators. It would be possible for this conference also to express its views on control methods, a fact which might be useful to the Government at this juncture in finding “a way out” from the impasse created by “control” as far as it has attempted to go. The Government is not very fertile in regard to initiative and frequently seeks the aids of conferences and commissions for a guide. The suggestion to do the marketing in the “off” seasons is not a new one. As it is every now and again some expert hailing from another part of the globe informs us that we should extend oiir dairying season in this country into the winter months. The object of this, of course, is to obtain a more even production in order to improve the demand for our butter and cheese. As. however, all our produce has to be refrigerated in anv ease for lengthy transportation through the tropics, it would appear that we are right in exploiting the refrigeration for tbe purpose of concentrating production into the period of cheapest feed. At present it is more than doubtful whether it would pay to produce right through the winter for the purpose of supplying the Home There is. however, the local market to he considered. Even our small population drinks a fair amount of milk, and would drink more if they were educated, as they have

been educated in the Stales and are being educated in England, lo drink more milk. Further demand could Increated for high-priced “.gilt-edged” produce such as fredi butter and soft, fancy cheeses. The local demand, and with it the winter demand, is therefore likely to giow. Where there is a steadv demand lor milk in winter and good transport facilities exist the farmer need have no hesitation in catering for it. provided lie has The right conditions and uses the right methods, the extra price paid will rceoiiipcnsate him for the extra expense incurred. But the proposal will go beyond purely dairy produce and it looks us if another board of administration is contemplated—“A Alarkcting Board”—to add to the general overhead costs of trading. These additions will be more likely to cause the producer to yearn for the tree and open market, and do tlu- trading of the country legitimately according lo supply and demand. The average producer invariably does his best to catch the market at the ilush. That demeanour applies to all kinds of produce, and the control most to he preferred is that which can reduce costs in transport and marketing, so that goods can lie placed where ro-

quira! as promptly as possible and as cheaply as possible. The country' lias its Board of Trade and Industries Department, and that special organisation should he functioning automatically in aiding the producer to market as economically as possible in

every available world market. That there should lie room for New Zealand produce in the East goes without saying. There have been probings in that direction already and more should he known about the poxsiblities of trading in that quarter of the world. Tt would appear that the Conference is going to do nothing more than that which existing Government departments should he handling with facility already. AYliy they are not doing so should rather bo the question of the moment, and some explanation should lie forthcoming for ministerial or departmental neglect in respect thereto.