THE TWO DOMINIONS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 83, 2 January 1930, Page 20

THE TWO DOMINIONS

ENCOURAGEMENT OF TRADE NEW CANADIAN OFFICIAL ARRIVES Dominion Special Service. Auckland, December 30. A very high opinion of New Zealand is held in Canada, according to Mi. F - L. E. Priestman, who arrived at Auck land by the Aorangi to occupy the position of Assistant Canadian Trade Commissioner to the Dominion. At the time of my appointment seven otlieis ■'were made,” Mr. Priestman said. Men were sent to Braz.il, China, Shanghai, New York, the United Kingdom, and Paris, and of all I was considered the most fortunate.” . Mr. Priestman is a comparatively voting man, but he has had an exteusiye commercial training. For sixteen years he was a member of the staff of the Canadian Bank of Commerce. He joined the Canadian Department of Trade and Commerce eariy this year, and his service in New Zealand will be his first .overseas appointment. He is accompanied by his wife and young son. Prosperity in Canada.

“Business conditions in Canada at present are excellent,” Mr. Priestman said. “There is fairly, general prosperity, which has accompanied increased production and expansion in industry. Canada’s secondary industries are being developed on most progressive lines, and all manufacturers.are aiming at the highest standard of quality. One new Industry which is progressing- most favourably is the manufacture of artificial silk from cellulose wood pulp. Such excellent results have been achieved that an expansion of the industry is certain. Bast season’s wheat yield was not quite as heavy as has been the case in former years, but the quality was good. " So far there have not been any heavy exports of wheat, as Canada is in the gratifying position of being able to wait for a better, export market. “During the last few years New Zealand’s export trade to Canada has increase! by 3.00 per cent.,” said Mr. Priestman. “There is a general feeling in favour of reciprocal trade! and as it is being carefully fostered, every country in the Empire should benefit. 'lndeed, during recent years the demand for Empire gopds has increased to such an extent in Canada that shopkeepers who previously stocked foreign articles hare been compelled to discard them. Butter, of course, forms the bulk of New Zealand’s exports to Canada, and it meets with a keen demand. Dairy farming in Canada'has not . grown to any great extent, and New Zealand exporters have established themselves in a sound .position. . ' Appointment of Mr. J. W. Coilins. Before Mr. Priestman left Vancouver he heard of the appointment of Mr. J. W. Collins, Secretary of the ment of Industries and Commerce,, to be New Zealand Trade Commissioner to Canada. The appointment was received with considerable enthusiasm, heightened because Canadians had already seen something of Mr. Collins’s outstanding ability at the Toronto Exhibition. It was felt that he would do much to cement, the feelings of goodwill betw-een the two Dominions.

“My duties in New Zealand will be to assist the Trade Commissioner, Mr. C. M. Croft, in extending the markets for Canadian products,”’ Mr. Priestman said. “1 uni looking forward to my work most keenly, and, if first impressions count fpr anything, I shall certainly enjoy my stay in your country. I met many New Zealanders in France during the war, and I have met others in Canada, where many are occupying high positions iu the business world. They have all inspired me with some of their enthusiasm for their own country.”