SEEKING MARKETS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume LXI, Issue 3161, 4 May 1931, Page 3

SEEKING MARKETS.

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE.

INVESTIGATION IN DUTCH EAST INDIES.

In an endeavour to find fresh avenues of trade, the Trade Commissioner in the Commonwealth, Mr L. G. Schmitt, is going to the Dutch East Indies and Singapore to investigate possible new markets for New Zealand produce and manufactures. Mr Schmitt, who has had a wide experience of commercial matters in the Dominion, will leave Sydney almost immediately, and it is anticipated that his report will be in the hands of the Government by September. In making the announcement recently the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, said that New Zealand had never been in the background in placing its products of wool, beef, mutton, and cheese besides much of the manufactures of the Dominion's secondary industries before desirable markets. The Government was always on the look-out for new markets to exploit and that, in these times of trade depression, it was necessary to do. "A while ago," said Mr Perrelle, "I promised the Chamber of Commerce that the Department of Industries and Commerce would make a strong effort to find some new and profitable markets for our products and manufactures which have gained and maintained a lot of praise abroad for their excellence of quality. The promise made to the Chamber of Commerce has been fulfilled. The Government has decided to send to the Dutch East Indies and Singapore a competent trade representative who will investigate the mai'ket, amongst othel' things, for outter, casein, milk, cream, apples, leather, and also tinned meats. Inquiries will also be made about the market for some of the manufactures of our secondary industries." Mr Perrelle stated that the Dutch East Indies was a .market well worth watching and developing. "Since I have been Minister of Industries and Commerce," the Minister said, "I have been very eager for the Government to go in more and more for new markets. The Prime Minister and other members of Cabinet have seen eye to eye with the proposals put forward. Recently Cabinet sat the whole day and amongst other important matters discussed was the question of exploring a new trade avenue. I can say that every member of the Government is keen to see that all our wares, primary and secondary, go further afield. We have goods to offer and all that is required is to display them, for our producers have a world-wide reputation, and get the proper markets established."

Going into figures dealing with the present export of New Zealand products to the Dutch East Indies, Mr Perrelle stated that during 1930 New Zealand exported butter to the value of £6530, casein valued at £B7O, and condensed milk valued at £764. Australia's exports of these commodities to the same territory for 1928-29 totalled £733,000. The Government was desirous of developing trade with the Dutch East Indies, which had a population of some 50,000,000.