TONGA'S TRADE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16206, 8 May 1918, Page 8

TONGA'S TRADE.

| POSITION OF NEW ZEALAND. [ (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) SYDNEY, May 7. The Premier of Tonga, who is visiting Sydney, in the course of an interview, said that New Zealand had taken the trade of Tonga from Australia, but that Tonga preferred to trade with the Commonwealth. Although ho made no announcement to this effect, he gave the impression that the object of his visit was to secure the Commonwealth's aid in a revival of trade between Tonga and Australia. ■ He said that it was partly owing to New Zealand's proximity and partly to the laxity or the indifference of Australia that New Zealand had been able to secure the Tongah trade. The indifference of Australia had forced the Tongan Government to subsidise the Union Steam Ship Company, granting it free harbour, pilotage, and wharfage to the extent of £4000 per annum. Tonga's preference for trade with Australia was because no firms existed for the manufacturing of oil in New Zealand from copra, which was one of Tonga's largest exports, whereas there were means to manufacture oil in Australia. Last year Tonga was forced to send 7000 tons of copra to America, and this year it was anticipated that 15,000 tons would go there. These facts spoke for themselves. He asked: "Why does Australia ignore us? We would rather trade with her than any other country."