MARKETING OF PRODUCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 August 1922, Page 4

MARKETING OF PRODUCE.

At this period of the year, when the annual meetings of dairy companies are held, there is generally more or less comment on marketing problems, and this year, owing to the smaller prices received for butter and cheese, considerable discussion has taken place concerning steps that might be taken to ensure ■better prices. At the recent meeting of the Maketawa Company, Mr. R. W. D. Robertson (who represents the London firm which has handled that company’s output), discussed the marketing question from a practical point of view, the main point of his remarks being the desirability of the producers and buyers coming together for the purpose of consultation and collaboration with the object of arriving at a constructive policy so as to remedy the present defects in the handling of New Zealand produce, as well as the “glaring lack of co-ordina-tion of producing, transport and distributing interests.” Mr. Robertson suggests" that the Dominion Government should appoint a Commission to take evidence both here and in Britain on the whole question of production and marketing of produce, and the best methods to improve and extend the industry. There is much force in Mr. Robertson’s contention that the present marketing weaknesses can never be improved by antagonising the British wholesale buyers. It is obvious that unless the Dominion producers are prepared to do their own marketing direct to the retailers, they must avail themselves of the services of the British merchants, and it seems only common sense that, in the latter case, there should be that mutual trust and confidence which would promote square business dealing. If the suggested Commission were appointed and a satisfactory personnel chosen to represent all interests, there would certainly be collected the necessary data on which a policy could be based. Recent experience has shown that to continue the existing methods of marketing cannot be in the best interests of the industry, so that it would be a wise move to ascertain exactly how matters stand at Home, and then set to work on an improved basis. Mr. Robertson’s suggestions deserve careful consideration.