NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE IN Sydney. ADVICE BY AN EX-AUCKLANDER.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 355, 30 March 1889, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE IN Sydney. ADVICE BY AN EX-AUCKLANDER.

The following letter on the above important subject, from a former resident in this part of the colony, merits the attention of our farmers: — "I would draw the attention of farmers to the advisability of going in for growing more potatoes, as the future prospects are likely to be good, particularly in Queensland ports. The demand for potatoes this year has been greater than in any previous year. The land adopted for growing potatoes at Warrnambool does nob always last, and it is now only a matter of time when New Zealand will come to the front again. More attention should be paid to the quality of seed, as I notice that the shipments of late differ very much in quality' — so much so that some are m orbh 20s a ton more than others — so that the growers will benefit by obtaining a good sample of potatoes. In bagging also it is bad policy in the long run to top the sacks with a bucket full of the largest sizes. ** More attention should be paid to the quality of the butter shipped. Each dairy should represent itself. Make no mistake about this business— no two dairies should be mixed, for that is the cause of inferior butter, which makes low prices and butter unsaleable at any price. If the proper course is pursued, a good market will always be obtainable. The old cockatoo business must be altered. Instead of butter being taken for groceries, establish a produce market such as the farmers have in JBast Maitland, New South Wales. One day in the week you will see the old farmers' wives, daughters, and sons come from near and far with their butter, cheese, bacon — in fact, everything, and their appointed auctioneer sells for cash to the highest bidders. This is the place you will see grocers come to { from all quarters, and heads of large families to buy their requirements for the week ; and again, the different prices are regulated by quality. The farmers get she cash, buy their provisions where they like for cash cheap, and go home contented in their buggies. Why not adopt the same idea in Auckland V It seems me to a regular meeting of friends. lam also told the old farmers' daughters and sons get acquainted at these weekly markets, and the result is they get married and go ahead. It struck me as a good line. Again, I noticed the New Zealand pressed hay. If it cannot be done better than the samples 1 have seen landed in Sydney, better not send any, as it must show a loss to the shippers. There is a market here for all produce, namely, good corned pork selling well, bacou, cheese, eggs, in fact everything. Lately shippers have been on the wrong side, with the exception of onions selling well. How does the loss come about ? First of all the high rates of the Union Company of freight and wharf charges. Why do they charge more from Auckland than from Wellington and Lyttelton ? Of course every shipper naturally asks this question. Potatoes are carried from Lyttelton to Sydney for 16s per ton, and irorn Auckland 25s per ton ; wharfage, Is 8d per ton. The greater portion of produce is sold on the wharf at any price, and must be removed in a certain time. "Now, how is thedifficulty to be removed ? Form a farmers' Auckland Co-operative Company and lease a store in Sydney, and with such a man a& "Mr W. Meatyard, of Onehunga, as salesman over here, success must follow all Auckland shipments. " I have had an interview with Mr C. Ellis, owner of Albion and Duplex steamers, who intends to have a cut in ab the New Zealand trade, and there is a probability of the first steamer Albion leaving Sydney making the first port of call the Manukau, going South, returning to Manukau, then across to Sydney. Mr Ellis is ready at any time to make arrangements with any cooperative company to erect a store on lease in a most suitable place on Sydney landing. Any information required can be obtained of Mr James, Queen-street, Auckland, so that Mr C. Ellis means bus : ness, and it is to be hoped he will receive what he deserves. — Yours, etc., Ax Auckland Max. *' Sydney, March 21sb, 1889."