WHERE NEW ZEALAND FAILS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 45, 22 February 1934, Page 6

WHERE NEW ZEALAND FAILS.

A Japanese visitor to New Zealand has said emphatically that there is a market for our produce in Japan, but the trade must be developed along proper lines. It is of no use, he contends, for New Zealand to regard Japan or, indeed, any Eastern market, merely as a convenient outlet for any surplus which cannot be sold in Britain. It is not sporadic, but organised, trade that is necessary if new channels arc to be opened up for our buttci., cheese and other exports. An instance of how not to proceed was provided only a few months ago. The Government was looking for a buyer of the Dominion's surplus Avlieat, and Japan was interested, but as no samples of the wheat were available in Japan the negotiations got nowhere. Our wheat is unknown on the woild markets, because Ave seldom export, and it would have been surprising indeed if, under, the circumstances, Japan had placed an order. Such methods of salesmanship are bound to fail, and every failure, instead of awakening the Government and -export interests to the need of a different policy, seems to be interpreted as proof that there are few opportunities for us in the East. This is entirely wrong. Australia's trade there is worth £22,000,000 a year to her, and last year showed a balance of £6,770,000 in favour of the Commonwealth. Compared with this, New Zealand's share is insignificant. And while we are doing little to gain a footing she is actually sending to the Far East a delegation headed by one of the leading members of the Federal Cabinet. Australia's steady exploitation of markets in the Far East is an example to this country.