TRADE WITH SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3136, 25 September 1922, Page 8

TRADE WITH SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS.

SAMOA, TONGA, AND FIJI. Mr H. H. Oxley, of Wellington, recently visited' the Pacific Islands and at a meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce (of which he is an Executive member) held on the 22nd August he presented a report upon the possibilities of future trading ais follows, a copy of which has been received by the Oamaru Chamber: — The Samoa n Islands otter more o|vportuuities for successful trading not only bevause they are quite 800 miles nearer to New Zealand than to Australia, but on account of the principal islands being tinder the control of New Zealand. The main island. Upolu, is rich and fertile with an area of about 600 square miles, flat, undulating and mountainous. On the northern side of the island is the harbor and town of Apia. This- is the centre of commercial life in Samoa. Hero are erected large stores stocked with supplies, not only for Apiai but for numerous trading stations situated all round the group. T found the traders anxious and willing to trade with New Zeafland merchants-, but, through lack of enterprise, etc., on our part, the Australian merchant** now do most of the trade. Only one out of an average of five travellers come from New Zealand. Tt is absolutely necessary first for New Zealand merchants to know the special requirements of tho traders 1 in all Tines, then they must understand the system the traders have in invoicing, declaration, packing, etc. These may appear small t matters, but traders repeatedly complained of the way they received New Zealand goods, and compared them with Australian goods, and stated that we must have an orderly system and have thorough insight, and give proper consideration to tho kind) of merchandise required. The imports into Samoa increased considerably in 1.920, yet the New Zealand total was much less than in 191 K. Take boots and drapery. In 1918 only £l6 worth of boots went from New Zealand. £1782 from Australia, and £I2OO from foreign shippers. Tu 1920 New Zealand sent £415 worth; Australia £3490 and foreigners £ISOO. Drapery was as follows:—1918, New Zealand £11,168, Australia, £25,449. foreign £28,000; 1920. NeAv Zealand £34.000. Australia £40,000. foreign £40,000. Other Tines of interest to merchants and manufacturers imported from New Zealand and Australia: only are:—Leather and leather manufactures: 1920, from New Zealand £960. from Australia. £2500. Biscuits: 1920, from New Zealand £I7OO, from Australia £19,400. Timber: 1920. from New Zealand £I2OO. from Australia. £IO,OOO. I have figures of all other lines showing in most eases (particularly hi industrial lines which we could manufacture in New Zealand) what opportunities we are allowing to pass. I understand at one time New Zealand held the largest proportion of the boot trade. You will note from the above how it now stands, and this is largely due to manufacturers not personally attempting to eee for themselves' what is required. Direct shipping to Wellington as a central New Zealand port is required, but even with the present service to Auckland much could be done if merchants 1 and manufacturers could be made to realise the great possibilities there are in Samoa alone. The agricultural and industrial possibilities of Samoa are great, particularly if a. direct boat to Wellington was arranged for and everything put on up-to-date commercial lines. Bananas, lemons, cocoanuts, pineapples, alligator peaire and numerous other lines could be landed in Wellington in seven days (the distance is about 2000 miles) There is much, to be done in the islands to develop, commercialise and place evervthing on proper up-to-date lines'. Undoubtedly the possibilities and future prospects of island trading are immense. I have dCalt mainly with Samoan trading, principally on account of the productive possibilities of the group and advantages to New Zea<land In addition to the trading possibilities in Samoa to New Zealand merchants and manufactuerrs, there are great opportunities for trade in Tonga and Fiji. . Tonga.—The Tongan Group, of which there are three main islands, have good stores at Nukualofa, Haapai, Vavua.. with numerous trading stations around the group. The Tonga Government is progressive, and they are most anxious to find a market for their produce, particularly in New Zealand, as they are only 11 (XI miles, from New Zealand 600 miles nearer than Samoa. In 1919 Tonga imported £184,500 into the croup; very little of this came from New Zealand. . Fiji Islands.- This group of 200 islands is situated 1200 miles north o\ New Zealand, and 1800 miles northoast of Sydney. They arc callable ol much development in every way Two of the islands are very large, being 4112 and 2432 square miles respectively, and they are capable of more intense white population. Suva is the main town, and is quite up-to-date, with good stores both wholesale and retail, from which the large number of trading stations draw their stores. In 1919 imports totalled £1.060,314. Of (his total I give the comparative figures for New Zealand and Australia: New Zealand £151,662. Australia £536.348. Australia is 600 miles further away than New Zealand, and at present we have a better service to New Zealand, yet our merchants and manufacturers arc not alive to the great possibilities of trade with Fiji. Figures invariably appeal to business men, and I want through our various chambers in New Zealand to bring this summary of facts beforo the business community, and with all the force T can urge tliem to go and see for themselves what great opportunities wc have lying throughout the islands distant not much further than Dunedin is from Auckland. Summary of Imports.—Samoa, 1920, £561.153, and New Zealand portion only £62,575; Tonga, 1919, £184,509., New Zealand portion very small: Fiji. 1918. £1,060,314, New Zealand £151,662. The total imports into the groups for one year were £1,805,967; of this total New Zealand only got, roughly, L'22o,ooo—a percentage of about 12J per cent. I have condensed my report considerably, and have given as briefly as possible the main facts and my personal impressions. 1 have much other information which I would be glad to give, not only of a commercial nature, bub on other matters which I have noted and gathered from various sources. There are, in my opinion, vast possibilities (particularly in Samoa) for investors, which would afford them safe and very profitable investments. The potential wealth is very great and cannot be described in a fewwords; one must see for himself. Suffice it to say the fringe; only of the agricultural and industrial potentialities have been touched, and there are great tracts of land and bush (suitable for paper making) lying waste waiting for proper up-to-date methods; first to bo put on to a firm financial basis, then to introduce machinery and ways nnd means for development. More white population is necessary.

From a geographical position the trade in these and the Cook Islands belongs to us. What are we going to do to capture the bulk of it? The report and subsequent remarks made bv Mr Oxfey were listened to with great interest. The Chairman said that merchants and manufacturers thought that the Government should help them to get into touch with tho islands. He recognised, however, at present the Government could not do much in this direction so that fhe only thing was to get information from tho External Affairs Department, and then for New Zealand business men to visit the islands and see the possibilities for themselves. It was decided to forward a copy ot the report to other Chambers of Commerce throughout the Dominion.