NEW ZEALAND’S PRODUCTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1921, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND’S PRODUCTS.

POORLY ADVERTISED AT HOME. NEED FOR MORE PUBLICITY. That the high quality of New Zealand products is not as widely known as should be and that this fact is largely due to the poor advertising methods ejnployed is an opinion formed by Mr. A. T. Christensen, chairman of the Patea Harbor Board, just Lack from a holiday trip which embraced Britain and other countries. In a chat with a Chronicle reporter, Mr. Christensen said that it was particularly noticeable the fine advertising displays made in London by other parts of the Empire. The Canadian authorities had spared no pains to make known the undoubted great resources of their country, while South Africa was doing equally as well. The South African exhibit at their High Commissioner's office was admirably displayed and included stuffed sheep, scoured and greasy wool, dried fruits, wines, ostrich feathers, coal, and imitation gold bricks, the last two items giving pointed emphasis to that country’s mineralogical potentialities. There was also an official on the spot ready to supply minute and fullest details o-f South African resources with the object of diverting emigrants of the right stamp to try their fortunes at the Cape. In addition, South African publicity advertisements were screened at picture shows. And what of New Zealand?

“Well, there is a remarkable contrast,” replied Mr. Christensen. “The New Zealand High Commissioner’s office occupies one of the finest sites in the Strand. But what a display! In one window there is some ironsand and lumps of coal. In another window there is cotton wool —to imitate snow—an! some skis and sleds. And that is all.” In regard to New Zealand’s primary products—meat, butter and cheese —Mr. Christensen said they could not be surpassed for quality by any other country, New Zealand first grade butter, in particular, standing in very high esteem. But to the great bulk of the Home people this fact was unknown because of the dual reason of insufficient advertising and the present methods in vogue for disposing of New Zealand’s products. Thus it was that best New Zealand butter was used to a large extent to blend inferior Home butters and New Zealand meat —particularly lamb—was handed on to the British public as the home article.

Mr. Christensen said it was obvious that New Zealand products were not getting a fair run, although the problem would, take a bit of solving. Suggestions made were that a Home Board should be set up to dispose of New Zealand products to the best advantage and that they should be tagged or labelled in such a way as to show the place of origin. Another thing was the urgent need of better handling facilities, particularly of meat.

Mr. Christensen had a most interest ing tour. In Denmark he found they were prepared to concede that New Zealand butter was equal to the best they could produce, and there the Jersey cow was a good deal in favor. On his way home across Ameri?a Mr. Christensen ‘noted that New Zealand products had made a good impression, but even there ho came across one distance of trading on No yr Zealand’s good name. ‘This was at Niagara, when American lamb was palmed off as prime New Zealand. In this case comment was made that 24’s were being sold, but he was able to give an assurance that those weights were never sent out of New Zealand.

In conclusion Mr. Christensen mentioned there ..appeared to be a good prospect of opening up trade with Honolulu. New Zealand beef was already obtainable there and its quality was highly commended.