“NOTHING TO FEAR FROM FUTURE”

Shannon News, 13 April 1923, Page 3

“NOTHING TO FEAR FROM FUTURE”

SIR ANDREW CLEMENTS’ OPINION • OF THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

NEW ZEALAND’S PREMIERSHIP

A notable visitor tu Levin on Monday was Sir Andrew Clements, head of the firm of Andrew Clements and Sons, of To-o-ley Street. 'London, who have been handling butter and cheese , from the local factories for many years. Sir Andrew, who was accompanied by Mr Robinson, of New Plymouth, the firm’s New Zealad representative, arrived in Levin at 12.30 from Manakau, where he had met the Directors of the Kuku Dairy Company during the morning, and he was entertained at lunch at the Grand Hotel at 12,30. In addition to the directors of the Levin Dairy Company, there were present the Mayor, Mr D. W. Matlieson, the Directors ol' the Kuku Dairy Company, Mr R. W. Taylor, Chairman of the Shannon Dairy Company, and Mr Atkins, a Director of the Manakau Dairy Company. The visitors were introduced by Mr S. A. Broadbelt, Chairman of the Levin Dairy Company, Who said that Sir Andrew was the representative of the Company that they had dealt, with for some years, and always with satisfaction, and he thought- that while lie was in the district it would he a good thing to have him, meet the directors of the industry locally. His experience in the other end of the business could not but be of value to them in this (Applause). At the conclusion of the luncheon, Sir Andrew Clements, at the request of Mr Broadbelt briefly addressed those present.

Sir Andrew, who was greeted with applause on rising, said his first duty was to express the feeling of pleasure it was to him to meet &o many people coneeted with the dairying industry in this part of the country. He had only been in New Zealand for a short time, hut that time was sufficient io impress him more than lie could say. Although the had seen practically every part of the world where dairying was carried on on a commercial basis, he had not ,seen New Zealand before and never imagined that any country could he so ideally situated for ihe carrying-on of the industry. They had a magnificent climate, good country, good stock, an industrious people and one that took an intelligent interest in the building up of the industry as the present gathering testified. It was very difficult for anyone, and particularly a Scotsman, io adopt the role of prophet—and he would like to remind his hearers that he was Scotch and therefore cautious, hut he would put it this way: He had had 30 years experience of the financial side of the dairying industry, ami with a preltv thorough knowledge of tlie unsettled conditions resulting from the late war, he couhl say that the New Zealand dairy farmer had nothing to fear from the future. Speaking as. a dairy farmer—for he would like them, to remember that he had been a dairy farmer before he was a butter importer—he would say that there was nothing that would give better returns provided their capital was rightly directed. “You gentlemen in New Zealand,” went on the speaker, “are so close up to the perspective that, sometimes you do'not see the lull picture. Are you aware that Now Zealand, with a population of one million people, has outstripped Denmark with a population of four millions in dairy production, and nas also outstripped Canada, with a population of eight millions, and now holds 11k; premier position among countries exporting to Great Britain. In butter, the best- New Zealand will beat the best.'Danish and the best New Zealand cheese will beat the best Canadian. It might seem strange that he should speak so highly of New Zealand produce when most of the reports showed better prices for the products of other countries, and it was well to investigate why this was so.

The main reason of this difference in price, continued Sir Andrew, was the irregularity of supply at the other end. New Zealand has only been in the business- for thirty years, and although the growth has been phenomenal it wias only now that they had got to the stage when it was possible to control the position. Up to now da.iry produce was only a small part of the freight carried by any line trading to New Zealand, and they had to ship at such, limes as suited the shipping companies. Now, they had such quantities for export from New Zealand that they were in a position to dictate terms 'and compel the shipping companies to run so as to suit the dairying industry. “It is hard to make you gentlemen understand the hardship that we at the other end suffer as the result ol' this irregularity whilst’ the losses to New Zealand dairymen arising directly from this cause are considerable, amounting io from 5/ to 10/ per cwt on the market price, and 2/ per cwt interest on delayed shipments. The: aggregate losses fjionr these causes' is enormous, so much so that it was time that the producers in New Zealand, and the agents ©h the other side combined to got. the shipping altered to suit their needs,

an end Mint could undoubtetdly be attained through co-operation. People in Britain are always anxious to get more and cheaper food, but you will find that Britain is always prepared to pay good prices for a good article. Jf regular supplies could be effected a big impro-vem ent in prices for New Zealand produce would be brought about. Many firms in Britain Mike Danish butter because they can be assured of regular supplies, whereas if they could get New Zealand as regularly they would prefer it.” In conclusion, Sir Andrew said Miat be could sav little more on the subject. He bad represented conditions at ihe other end and referred to the delays in shipping. If there were any questions regarding the business at the other end fie would be glad to answer them.

Mr I. D. Brown, Chairman of the Kuku Dairy Company, said he understood that Hie T.evin Directors were meeting Sir Andrew at the Levin factory, and before they went, he would like to say how pleased he and the other directors of the Kuku Factory were to be present. He was sure that a meeting such as the present was in the best interests of the dairying industry. They had met Sir Andrew Clements at the Kuku Factory that morning and he wap sure that good would come of the meeting. He would wish their visitor a very pleasant stay in New Zealand and a safe and pleasant journey home (Applause).

In conclusion Mr Broadbelt briefly expressed, his conviction that the meeting would be productive of good and thanked everybody present for their attendance. Sir Andrew Clements and the directors then left hv car for the Levin Dairy Factory where Sir Andrew addressed the directors on matters connected with the grading and marketing of dairy produce.