WIDER MARKETS PROBABLE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21377, 21 January 1935, Page 12

WIDER MARKETS PROBABLE

New Zealand's Trade With England RELATIONS WITH JAPAN AND AMERICA

Increased markets in England for New Zealand products because of events in the Argentine and Canada are forecast by Mr Alex. Taylor, a director of numerous companies with English interests in Canada and the United States of America. Mr Taylor who resides in Jersey, one of the Channel Islands, is visiting New Zealand to study its business conditions, and from the information obtained from prominent business men and from the heads of Government departments, will compile a report. According to Mr Taylor, English capital is being withdrawn from the Argentine, and replaced by American; this, he thought, applied to the farming industry as well as to others. In consequence it might be expected that there would be a very material improvement in the English market for New Zealand, Australian, and Canadian products. At the present time, Canada was negotiating for a reciprocity agreement with the .United States of America. If it eventuated, Canadian farm products would be included in the agreement, and again increased markets would open up for New Zealand.

England's Leadership Mr Taylor,, who had lived in Canada for 26 years and has, travelled extensively, emphasised the economic importance of England's restored confidence. The situation was as outlined by a prominent English statesman, that England was leading the world once more, and that not by any fancy remedies. This final remark had particular reference in a comparison between England and the United States of America. There "the situation and the attempted remedies reminded one of the remark made by Columbus to the Queen of Spain on his return from his voyage of discovery: —"When I started out I did not know where I was going. When I got there I did not know where I was. When I returned I did not know where I had been." An eminent member of the British Government had said to Mr Taylor in Toronto .that he looked forward to the National Government going back in to power, but with a con- i siderably decreased majority. Mr Taylor endorsed this opinion, adding that that much would depend on the next budget, the election budget, which, it was probable, would be very encouraging. "No Alternative to Tariffs" Mr Taylor is a strong protectionist, and argued that tariffs had saved England. In his opinion, if one considered the present labour and industrial position in' a country such as Japan, one must agree that there was for England no alternative to a system of tariffs. In illustration of those conditions, Mr Taylor quoted from a report drawn' up by M. Fernand Maurette, assistant-director of the Industrial Labour Organisation at Geneva, who remarked upon the extremely simple manner of life which was characteristic of the whole Japanese nation, and not merely of the workers. This simple manner of living was well adapted to the organisation of industry on family lines, which had always prevailed in Japan. Mr Taylor' further, quoted comment by "The Times" on. this feature of life in Japan:—"Whether other influences will creep in from the West to disturb the general conception of industrial co-operation or whether the 'family' tradition will continue in a revised but still effective form, a foreigner will not venture to predict. But this tradition is an industrial asset which other countries may well envy. M. Maurette is convinced that Japan has not attempted any form of 'social dumping' as a method of increasing its export trade. He has discovered, however, in the native good will of employers and workmen a more effectual force for the industrial and commercial progress of a low-wage country than dumping could ever be. The natural resources of Japan are poor; its resources in men and morale are immeasurable." These remarks, added Mr Taylor, were of importance to New Zealand in any consideration of her economic future. Impressions of New Zealand "What I have seen of New Zealand," said Mr Taylor, referring to his travels here, "has gone far beyond my expectations. When I return I shall recommend many friends of mine who have not visited New Zealand to come. I personally would go a very long way to see the Waitomo caves again. My tour has been conducted by the Tourist Department. I have never met more pleasant or obliging men than" those in the Tourist Department, and all arrangements ihave been excellent."