N.Z. FOOD PRODUCTS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4498, 1 December 1922, Page 3

N.Z. FOOD PRODUCTS.

A NEW MARKET. CARD,IFF ANXIOUS FOR DIRECT shipments: The war has taught many lessons, one of which is that the economic condition must always be considered , practical commerce. In pre-war days the prevailing idea was that London offered the Only market in England for the Dominion’s products. The altered opinion to-day is that the populations' of England should be fed through the mpst economic port serving the particular area or zone. Cardiff has the advantage of being the most economic centre of distribution for the Soutn Wales industrial areas, which embrace a population o! over 2,000,000 within 30 miles, and v.ithin 90 miles the population exceeds 10,000,0'00. The population in this area are engaged in industrial pursuits and lely very largely on imported foodstuffs. New Zealand meat, butter, cheese, and fruit at present reach the district through the port of London, and the high railway rates, heavy handling and demurrage charges increase the price of the food product to the consumer,. and ip the case of meat, what is perhaps more important is the extra handling, which causes considerable deterioration in the quality, with the result that the consumer gets, an inferior article at an unreasonably high price. • New Zealand meat, butter, cheese, and fruit find a ready market in Cardiff, and it may be mentioned that on a conservative estimate the consuming power of ; the population within 90 miles of Cardiff is equal to 350,000 tons of meat per annum, 90,000 tons of butter, and 116,000 tons of cheese. It is' to the special interest of the New Zealand producer to favour direct shipments jo Cardiff. This would enable the Cardiff importer to give a better price, because he receives the food product in the prime condition and is relieved of rail and handling charges incurred when received via London. The South Wales miner, on account of the strenuous type of his labour, requires large quantities of nutriment. and direct importation would give-the consumer the food product in prime condition, thereby creating a favourable impression which would considerably" help to develop the trade. The Cardiff docks are well equipped to receive food imports, possessing ample cold storage and Warehouse accommodation, and the ship can always obtain a return cargp of coal and bunkers. At Cardiff the meat and other food products would receive a minimum of handling, thereby maintaining the quality 'of the mea', etc., and the quick transit from ship to consumer enables delivery to be made in prime condition at the lowest possible cost. The Cardiff merchants realise that to devlop this trade it is essential to consider the interests 'of the producer and the consumer; and direct importation would give the consuming public a good article at a reasonable price. At the same time, by eradicating all unnecessary charges, the importers could give a better price to the producer. Here is a determination on the part of the Old Country to forge stronger trade Jinks with the Dominions, and those of pur readers who ,ar,e interested may obtain any information they want 'on communicating with Mr T. W. D. Smith, Development Department, City Hall, Cardiff, who will be pleasled to place exporters in touch with importers with a view to opening up new markets for the development 'of this trade.