TRADE ORGANISATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 401, 9 July 1928, Page 16

TRADE ORGANISATION

EMPIRE MARKETING BOARD’S WORK IN N.Z. (Special to THE SUN) MASTERTON, Sunday. Speaking at Masterton, where he was entertained to-day. Sir Benjamin Morgan, chairman ot the British Empire Producers' Organisation, said: . “I am convinced that the producers in every industry must organise for scientific marketing, for the purpose of crystallising an Empire policy.” "It is impossible for the Government to give the most effective preference to Empire products,” continued Sir Benjamin, “unless each industry is organised. The British Government cannot legislate for the Empire as a whole, and it looks to the producers to devise a scheme that will assist industry. The question is becoming more important every day. The Empire Marketing Board has not been able to give preference to primary produces, but in a friendly gesture is endeavouring to co-ordinate research work in the Empire. This was really the conception of Mr. L. S. Amery, who is chairman of the board, and by this means the board is assisting the producers in return for preference given to Empire goods.

“The board has carried out propaganda work, and now it has to ensure continuity of supply against foreign competition. In this respect there is no great difficulty so far as New Zealand is concerned, but I am going through the Empire arranging for that continuity of supply.”

A tribute to the Empire Marketing Board, of which Sir Benjamin is a member, for the assistance it has given the farmers of New Zealand, was paid by Mr. W. Perry, of Masterton, who is a member of the Board of Agriculture and president of the Royal Agricultural Society. The financial assistance given for the purpose of plant and seed research in this country ran into thousands of pounds. Mr. Perry said he happened to be a member of the committee of research set up in this matter, and the work had been made possible by a grant from the board. The splendid work this body had done for New Zealand was appreciated. The board had brought about co-operation between the research workers in different countries of the Empire and a body of men in London.

Mr. T. Jordan, Mayor of Masterton, also made reference to the work of the board, and expressed appreciation of the grant made by the board to this country, in addition to the assistance to the Cawthron Institute.