TRADE WITH PACIFIC ISLANDS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 5, 30 September 1922, Page 2

TRADE WITH PACIFIC ISLANDS

THE SHIPPING PROBLEM “The subject of trade with tho Pacific islands—Samoa, b’iji, Cook Islands, Tahiti, and Hawaii—has been under consideration during the past year, particular attention being given to the causes that have led to the falling-off of trade between New Zealand and Samoa and Fiji, and to the steps that should bo taken to counteract tho effects of tho direct steamer service recently established between Australia, tho islands, and the United Kingdom, which naturally meant a diversion of trade from this Dominion,” states tho annual report of the Department of Industries and Commerce. “The Department realised that little could bo accomplished in respect to trade without proper shipping facilities. Fast steamers are necessary for tho carriage at reasonable freight rates of citrus fruits and bananas from the islands. During the war New Zealand neglected the island markets, because of the demand in Now Zealand itself for locally manufactured goods and the high priebs and big demand for our food products in tho United Kingdom. “Now that world prices generally have fallen, steps are being taken to secure again the markets that w r e lost; and, although the Pacific islands can never offer a large opening either for our food products or for our manufactured goods, the proximity of the islands and the trade to be done certainly warrant New Zealand cultivating and maintaining this trade connection. “Good business can be done in canned goods, kegged meats, dairy produce, soap sugar, and general products. Auckland formerly did a lucrative trade in the handling of copra, but the provision of direct shipping from Australia to tho United Kingdom via the islands has diverted this trade, and the only way to make permanent this trade with the Dominion is to establish works in New Zealand deal with the copra itself. “Too much stress cannot be laid on the fact that New Zealand merchants and manufacturers cannot compete successfully with Australia and the United States unless they send travellers to the islands to study the requirements of the market and to observe special points relating to .packing. lii regard to trade with Samoa, co-operation between the Department of External Affairs and this Department has resulted in a better understanding between the traders or Saaoa and New Zealand manufacturers as to'the trade in cocoa beansNew methods of grading are being established, and as a result the trade should be greatly improved, to the mutual benefit of both producer and customer. „ , ~ ‘‘Trade with Hawaii snows considerable extension, with a. growing demand for meat, butter, boots, oats, onions, fruit, and woollen goods. "All these near-by 1 markets oltei good prospects for New Zealand merchants, but stress must again bo laid upon the point that the Department s work is limited to obtaining and disseminating information, and. that it should be followed by commercial firms taking the risk of sending representatives to obtain preliminary orders.