N.Z. TRADE WITH INDIA

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25638, 29 October 1948, Page 9

N.Z. TRADE WITH INDIA

INQUIRIES RECEIVED IN CHRISTCHURCH

GOVERNMENT REPORT ON PROSPECTS

Trade inquiries received recently by the secretary of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association (Mr R. T. Alston) emphasise very strongly the growing interest of Indian firms in increasing commerce with New Zealand. No fewer than 20 Indian companies have inquired about prospects for the sale of their goods in New Zealand, and for securing New Zealand products in exchange. A Calcutta firm has written asking whether radio sets and components, bicycles, condensed milk, hardware, and electric light bulbs can be supplied. It offers for sale mica and jute. Other Indian firms want foodstuffs, wool, paper, straw boards, tallow, paints, varnishes, hardware and jewellery. They offer in return a wide variety of goods, including spices, minerals, tobacco, tea, cotton waste, carpets and precious stones.

A report has been received by the Manufacturers’ Association from the Department of Industries and Commerce about prospects for the marketI ing of foodstuffs in India. The reI port says that canned peas and French beans have a limited demand. Asparagus and mushrooms are in reasonable , demand, but the prices being charged put them in the luxury class. Other types of canned vegetable meet with .practically no demand. A factor which [ operates against the sale of canned vegetables in India is that fresh vegetables of one kind or another are available all the year. There are seasonal shortages of some kinds, but there are always alternatives which, while not so popular or palatable, are readily available. The report says that canned and cured fish sells very well throughout the year. The market for luxury lines, such as caviar, soft and hard roes and anchovies is limited because of high prices. Biscuits of all types are in reasonably heavy demand, with little difference in sales between sweet and cracker varieties. There is a heavy demand for confectionery of all kinds. Indigenous production is high, but qualities are. in the main, poor. This, together with the high prices being asked, is helping in the‘sale of imported goods.

The Indian demand for imported jams and preserves is still reasonably heavy. Most of the jams made in. India are of very poor quality, and production is hampered by shortages of fruit like peaches, apricots and plums.