PRODUCE EXPORTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1922, Page 5

PRODUCE EXPORTS.

BETTER TONE OF MARKETS, INCREASE IN BUTTER OUTPUT i BETTER PROSPECTS FOR MEAT. MARKET IN AMERICA. (By Wire.—Parliamentary Reporter) Wellington, Last Night. reference to the position of New Zealand produce was made by Mr. D. Jones (Kaiapoi) in moving the Address-in-Reply in the House to-night. Importance was given to his remarks by the fact that he is chairman of the Meat Control Board. Wool, said Mr. Jones, was in a better position now than it had been for some time past, but even at the last Wellington sale the average had been only sixpence per pound, and “there was nothing flash about that.” One encouraging fact in regard to New Zealand produce was to be found in the increase in the output of butter. From 1920 to 1922 the export of butter had increased from 500,000 odd boxes to 1,960,000, or practically two million boxes. There had also been a large increase in cheese exported. Tn those figures he felt was to be found an indication of what soldier settlement, much criticised as it had been, had meant to the country.

“The meat industry,” he said, “is one which is in a much sounder, position than it was twelve months ago.” Prior to the decision to control the meat trade experts had said that it would be quite impossible to clear away the accumulated stocks before April or May of this year and that no increase of price was to be expected. But what did they find to-day? That the legislation passed and the influence exerted in various ways had resulted in an increase in mutton and lamb representing about £3,000,000 to New Zealand. The board had also been able to secure one farthing reduction in freight, one farthing reduction in freezing charges and a decrease in railway charges- Concessions on these, and on tallow and pelts, amounted in respect to shipping alone to £lOO,OOO for the balance of the year in New Zealand and at present the board was discussing the freights for the ensuing year. “I feel quite certain, further,” added Mr. Jones, “that before long in this Dominion we shall have a board which will be handling the whole of our outward and inward freights and making one contract for New Zealand.” A satisfactory arrangement had been come to with Armour and Co. One of the undertakings of the company was that it would develop the lamb trade as far as America was concerned, and as a result of the allotments made over eighty thousand lambs would be shipped into the American market this year. More could have been sent had shipping been available. The Leader of the Opposition: “Do you know on what terms the license was granted?” Mr. Jones: “Yes, I know exactly the terms. The board secured sufficient control to grant them a license with absolute safety to this Dominion and assuring the opening up of the American market.” Mr. Wilford: ‘On what terms?” Mr. Jones: “I have given you the terms —very excellent terms.”