MARKETS IN FAR EAST

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27796, 22 October 1955, Page 5

MARKETS IN FAR EAST

DIRECT SHIPPING SERVICE

PROSPECTS FOR N.Z. EXPORTS

“The Press" Special Service AUCKLAND, October 21. The recent introduction of a direct shipping service between New Zealand and the Far East has opened up fresh possibilities for the Dominion to get a bigger share of Eastern markets according to Mr K. W. Davies, district officer of the Department of Industries and Commerce. He told the Auckland provincial executive of Federated Farmers that when the freighter Eastern Star loaded at Auckland last month, half her New Zealand cargo represented new business with Eastern markets. "If this venture does turn out to be a success,” said Mr Davies, “we can look forward to access to markets for New Zealand products in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Malaya and other Eastern countries."

Mr Davies said that present plans were for a three-monthly service with one ship. A sister ship, the Eastern Argosy, with double the refrigerated space, was being built. With two ships on the run the service would be increased to six-weekly or two-monthly sailings. Much, however, depended on the support given by New Zealand exporters. Eastern merchants were not interested in trading with New Zealand unless they could be assured of regular supplies at fairly frequent intervals.

"While the primary* industries wiH form the backbone of New Zealand’s hade with the East, the service can be maintained only if reasonably full loads can be assured,” said Mr Davies. "This means the offering of dry cargo apart from that requiring refrigerated space. Primary products qualifying as dry cargo would be milk powders, processed cheese, casein, tallow and dried fish. “If sufficient support is forthcoming from the New Zealand primary and manufacturing industries to maintain two ships on the service, 3000 tons of cargo a year could be shipped to the East.”