TRADE WITH THE EAST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 183, 4 August 1932, Page 6

TRADE WITH THE EAST.

The instructive column in Tuesday's '"Star" dealing with the views of prominent men oil our export trade problems is a matter of vital interest to us all. However, it surely is not to be suggested that because evident difficulties exist we must "drop our bundle" in the matter of exports. The points raised are particularly real to the individual trader, but may be overcome by a co-ordination of producers and merchants. Working as a body they would quickly open the road that is closed to the single tryer. Good examples of this may be seen in the enormous strength and success to-day of the Co-operative Wholesale Society of Great Britain and the Citrus Growers' Association of U.S.A.—both evolved from the difficulties of the lone tryer.Exchange difficulties between countries may be overcome by the establishment of funds ill those countries, as well as a development of "payment in goods" methods, for which our present balance of trade in some cases gives us plenty of leeway. Exchange fluctuations and boycotts are passing phases anyway. A directshipping line with through freights will meet the adverse balance of costs of transportation. Sufficient available freight will quickly attract enough shipping and the provision of adequate refrigeration space. It is gratifying to know that one shipping line has vision enough to be sustaining losses on actual New Zealand freights to the East, an the confidence that such trade must grow to worthwhile proportions. This must come, and it will conic quickly as soon as we take the right steps to meet the situation. We are more capable to-day to overcome difficulties than ever. The cost for any one producer or trader to develop such markets, even with everything working ill his favour, would be too. serious for him to consider. However, a combination of merchants and producers, • backed further by capital subscribed by the public for this national necessity, would soon reduce the percentages of trading costs, force shipping people to participate courageously, and remove all main obstacles from the road to open and fair competition with those who are now enjoying annually millions' worth of trade in goods which we can produce so well. GET TOGETHER.