The Waikato Times TUESDAY, MAY 17, 1938 MARKETING POLICY

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20500, 17 May 1938, Page 6

The Waikato Times TUESDAY, MAY 17, 1938 MARKETING POLICY

, 1? i of Australia and New Zealand co-operating in e mai produce overseas will create interest throughout tie ominion. Whether it need result in the formation of an usf 1 a asian Agricultural Council is a matter for consideration, and pioiably some other name would be deemed essential. The prof ucers in this country, having established a reputation for the quality o their foodstuffs, mean to retain their identity as a marketing unit, >ut probably they would welcome an arrangement that would enable tie policies of Commonwealth and Dominion to be co-ordinated as far as possible. The suggestion may be the outcome of the recent conference of Empire producers held in Australia, when the need for oiderlv marketing was stressed, and if any practical plan to prevent competition from weakening prices could be devised it will be considered sympathetically here. In the past there has been no little competition for the Home markets, and when Mr Coates was in London some years ago endeavouring to arrange for assured markets for New Zealand meat the Australian representatives made claims that would have imposed a distinct handicap on this country. They wished any import limits to be based on the figures for the previous tuo or three years, although the exporting firms admitted that, during that period, Australia had killed for export an exceptionally large number of old ewes. The idea of co-operation between the two countries in the matter of dairy* produce shipments is not altogether new. Private interests have already* taken steps to ensure it, and a great deal of work has been done. The position of the two countries is not exactly the same. New Zealand exports the greater part of its production of dairy produce, whereas in Australia the domestic markets are more important than those overseas. But both are directly interested in supplying the British markets in such a manner that, as far as possible, price fluctuations will be avoided and that must be rendered more difficult if one country were to allow supplies to be sold as they arrived, with no regard to the demand at the time. Orderly marketing is now* regarded as an essential, and if by co-operation with Australia that process can be carried a further stage then it should have beneficial results. There is no obvious need at the present time for anything in the nature of a super-organisation. It should be possible for the authorities in the two countries to work harmoniously* together, each controlling its own produce in its own way but taking whatever precautions are deemed necessary to prevent developments that might prove to be inimical to the interests of both of them. If the experience of those who have already taken steps to effect a mutual policy could be drawn upon then those who now advocate closer co-operation would have something solid on which to build. The discussions between the Australian Council and the Minister of Agriculture should be regarded as something of a preliminary nature, for the Government would hardly be likely to enter into any definite arrangement without consulting the Dairy Board, and through it the producers themselves.