H.—3o.

the Export Division under contract with the United Kingdom Ministry of Food—namely, butter and cheese, processed milk, frozen meat, canned corned beef, and mutton. The shipping arrangements for all food products required by the War Office were, however, to be carried out by the Export Division. The value of these products shipped during the period ending 31st July, 1941, is £77,077. FRUIT. It is to be regretted that owing to shortage of refrigerated shipping space it was not found possible to ship any apples or pears to the United Kingdom or North America during the past season. The staff of the Fruit Sales Division, London, is now being used in connection with the general work entailed by contracts for other products with the Ministry of Food and Ministry of Supply.

SUMMARY OF VOLUME AND VALUE OF SALES BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PRODUCTS FOR EXPORT FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED 31st JULY, 1941.

GENERAL. In presenting this report covering the operations of the Export Division of the Department for the year ended 31st July, 1941, it is pleasing to record that the arrangements of the 1940-41 season in respect of production, handling, payment, and shipment of the various products have proceeded smoothly, and all interests concerned have co-operated in meeting the difficulties inherent in the present war situation. I desire on behalf of the Government to thank the farming industry for their assistance in maintaining production of the various commodities at satisfactory levels, the management and staffs of the manufacturing interests, the storage and transport interests, the handling and loading interests, and the shipping interests for maintaining their respective services, wMch are all contributing factors to the success of the past season's operations. As Minister of Marketing, I wish to mention the assistance always forthcoming from organizations with which the Export Division of the Department is in daily contact —the Meat and Dairy Boards, the Freezing Companies' Association, the Overseas Shipowners' Allotment Committee, the Wool brokers', Woolbuyers', and Woolscourers' associations, and the Cool Stores' Association. The knowledge of the representatives of these organizations has been freely given and has been most valuable to the Department and to the Government. I desire again to pay tribute to the officers and men of the mercantile marine and the Royal Navy who have been responsible for the transport of the large volume of exports from New Zealand. The people of New Zealand are mindful of the hazards of this fine achievement, and are accordingly grateful. Finally, I wish to mention the Government representatives in the United Kingdom and the New Zealand staff of the Export Division of the Marketing Department. Our representatives in the United Kingdom have carried out their increased duties most efficiently, notwithstanding: the difficulties of the present situation. The nature and scope of the duties of the New Zealand stafi are evident from a perusal of this report, and I take this opportunity of thanking them for their support and co-operation during a difficult period. The release of male members of the staff for service with the armed forces has greatly increased the responsibilities of the junior and female officers, and all members of the staff have responded most willingly and effectively. Minister of Marketing. TT ™ —

5—H. 30.

33

, 7 . Equivalent Value f.o.b. (in New Product. Volume. Weight (in Tons). Zealand Currency). ___ £ Butter .. .. •• 5,257,720 boxes 131,443 18,336,263 Cheese .. 1,611,168 orates 115,083 9,108,330 Frozen meat .. 267,426 16,223,768 Wool* .. 894,742 bales 136,158 17,810,805 Tallow .. .. .. •• 14,345 312,913 Woolly sheep-skins .. .. 820,599 skins 2,872 280,419 Canned meat .. .. .. 42,331 cases 1,125 98,680 Soheelite •• 71 14,663 War Office contracts .. .. .. •• 77,077 Skim-milk powder .. .. 104,598 cases 5,230 234,168 Evaporated milk .. .. .. 82,821 cases 1,695 100,143 Linen-flax fibre 832 bales 85 13,102 Linen-flax seed 5,763 sacks 513 27,336 Totals .. .. .. .. 676,046 62,637,667 ♦Totals of wool appraised for twelve months to 30th June, 1941, at f.o.b. value.