PRODUCE MARKETING.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 November 1921, Page 7

PRODUCE MARKETING.

ADVICE TC PARLIAMENT. Mr. W. Stuart Wilson, who in recent years has taken a keen interest in public and national affairs, and who, during a visit to the Old Country, investigated the marketing of New Zealand produce in London, is following up the movement for the better handling of our primary exports and their distribution at the other end with characteristic energy. In an interview with a representative of the Wellington Post he expressed high gratification that Parliament was at last taking to heart a question which he regards as of paramount importance to the people of the Dominion. “I am very pleased,” said Mr. Wilson, “at the reception of my comments on the conduct of distribution of New Zealand produce in London. One prominent member of Parliament said I had ‘blown the gaff’ on the whole show. Another member, when I asked him for his support to my petition before Parliament, warmly assured me he would support any petition of mine even before he knew what it was. I was much impressed by the confidence in my views thus voiced. I think Mr. Massey is to be commended for his suggestions for the establishment of a producers’ board, but the idea put forward by the various members of Parliament hardly go far enough. I like, however, the proposal of Mr. Field, member for Otaki, for a conference of representatives of the Farmers’ Union, the Council of Agriculture, chambers of commerce, shipping companies, and all who are competent to speak on the matter of shipping and marketing of our products in England. Personally I should be only too glad to assist in any capacity in which I could be of service. The suggestion is a capital one.”

“At the same time,” said Mr. Wilson, by way of qualification of his approval, “I should like to emphasise the fact, which the Prime Minister and others do not. "seem to realise—namely, that the whole business hinges on finance. The cleverest commercial genius in the world in London at the present time without adequate finance could not do much to help the producers of New Zealand. I feel the position of a producer with all sympathy, as I was a farmer myself until I <ook up business, and I know what I am talking about. Finance is the beginning and end of the matter, and the plea that there is no money will hardly serve when Germany, after her defeat and under crushing burdens is reorganising her whole business of production on an immense scale. I know because I visited Germany during my recent tour. Still, I am glad to see Mr. Massey is taking a greater interest in this produce problem than he has done hitherto. While in London I made it my business to institute careful inquiries from members of the High Commissioner’s office, and also from Mr. Massey’s own staff, and I came to the conclusion that Mr. Massey was too busy to look into the marketing question, and his observations in Parliament prove that to have been the case. People will be pleased that he is devoting more attention to it now. If

Parl : °ment would only let 75 per cent, of its ordinary business during the present session stand in abeyance and concentrate on the marketing problem, they would be doing a far greater service to the people of New Zealand. You cannot put it too strongly that, in my opinion, the whole future of the Dominion depends on the proper solution of the problem of marketing our produce.”