SUCCESSFUL VENTURE

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 220, 13 June 1933, Page 11

SUCCESSFUL VENTURE

Trade Delegation to East

Indies

SEARCH FOR MARKETS

On his return to Wellington by the Makura yesterday, Mr. S. W. M. bulling, New Zealand representative of me Australian National Travel Association, who went to the Eart representing Australian tourist interests on the trade ship Nieuw Holland, was able to give an interesting resume of what be saw there. The trade venture to Malaya and the- Netherlands Indies proved quite as successful as was anticipated by those responsible, he said.

Mr. Stilling mentioned that the products that had met with the greatest success were canned and dried fruit, fresh fruit and vegetables,, flour and butter, for which commodities there was already established a good market; leather goods, broom and brush ware, steel tools, electric signs, hams, bacon, jams, jellies, still and sparkling wines, honey, condiments, wireless sets, woollen goods, including rugs and material, woollens arid rugs being required by people leaving the East for Europe.

: On the tourist side the arrangements made for propaganda and publicity, in which New Zealand was included, exceeded expectations, Mr Stilling said. Agents had been appointed in both the Federated Malay States and the Netherlands Indies. Itineraries had been recommended whereby Australia and New Zealand would receive consideration from shipping companies and travel organisations with the rest of the.tourist conn tries.

Conditions in Malaya and the Netherlands Indies were bad at present, rubber, sugar and tin being down to an alarming price, he said. Tin, however, had improved a few points recently, this being regarded as an indication that a slight improvement in the general conditions might be expected. It was rather pleasing to note, however, that except in isolated cases there was no begging in the streets, although there were thousands of coolies in both countries. The natives looked after their own people, and that, together with [the fact that they could live on almost nothing, apparently accounted for it.

Great credit must be given to the Dutch for the manner in which the Netherlands Indies was governed. The favourable attitude by the Government to the natives of the country was particularly noticeable, and foreigners. Dutchmen and natives alike, were similarly treated, the Eurasian and native wives being received on equal terms with the Europeans.

Mr. Stilling mentioned that the present shipping provided for the carrying of passengers and cargo from Western Australia to the East was so inadequate that booking one or two ships ahead was necessary, and that it was reliably stated that the next foreign steamer proceeding to the East had over 150 passengers already booked. That alone showed that Australia was entering into a more prosperous state than had been experienced for several years* past.