EXPANSION URGED

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 25, 30 January 1923, Page 10

EXPANSION URGED

FRENCH MISSION'S WORK

TEADE WITH NEW ZEALAND.

There was a small but representative gathering at the Chamber of Commerce yesterday to hear M. Petriquin, who spoke interestingly on the subject of interchange of trade between New Zealand and France

Mr. W. .F. Cuthbertson, president of the Chamber of Commerce, presided. M. Petriquin, who is a member of the French Trade Mission, said, a glance at the past Year Book was sufficient to show that trade, exchanges between New Zealand and France were ridiculously low. Most of the articles exported from New Zealand ware suitable for the French markets, and sales might easily be extended. French exports under the heading of agriculture,- such' as wine and oils, were entirely, with small exceptions, neglected in New Zealand, while there were many higTi-class manufactures in France which..New Zealand did not manufacture, and whitfi were not sought for in France. These included the best class of engines, electrical, machinery, .mining engines, tools, textile machinery, fabrics and clothing, paper arid stationery," leather and fancy goods,, scientific and surgical instruments, etc. He said it wag inevitable that- Britain should supply mo«t of the requirements, but France wished to come next in importance, to be, in fact, vji.he chief foreign source of supply. She would like to take the place which Germany occupied before the war —(applause)—and he was sure France could offer much better quality than Germany, even if no reduction was shown in price. They could supply metallurgical products, aluminium articles, electric, outfits, dynamos, lamps, cables, and tele T graph and telephone apparatus. France could also undertake large, public works abroad, he said, and he instanced several engineering achievements of great magnitude in many parts of the • world. Referring to textiles, he said France had exported £40,000,000 worth; annually. Each year £10,000.000 \worth of raw material was imported to main-" tain the huge silk industry. After providing for her own consumption, she exported £15,000,000 worth each year. The lecturer said he was sure France's purchase of New Zealand wools would increase. For the extension of business between the two- countries, he urged the establishment of direct trade relations as advocated by General Pau. 'France must have agencies for exhibiting her' goods, and it was not necessary that Frenchmen should be her agents abroad. Agents by themselves, however, would not be sufficient; and commercial travellers from France must from time to time visit the British Dominions, and heads of French houses or competent representatives should come to New Zealand to study the requirements of their customers on the spot. \ .

Speaking in particular of. metallurgy, M. Petriquin said one of the principal objects of Germany .was to conquer the rich region which before the war represented 90 per cent, of the national ore production. With-the help of their Allies, and of the splendid soldiers from New Zealand, this foolish'ambition was frustrated. One of the victories of the war was 'won by the French metallurgists, who not only entirely supplied her own army, but supplied nearly completely the Serbian Army,. sent into Russia, Greece, and Rumania big quantities of rifles, guns, and ammunition, and supplied to America-all its light artillery. The French metallurgists could give this, wohderfu^ service because of their organisation. "He also detailed the work of other industries..

He said he thought there was a mutual ignorance of each other between France and, the British Dominions. He had been pleased to visit various industries, in New, Zealand with a view to gaining information, as to the products and the possible markets in France and its colonies. The two countries, friends and allies since the war,"should come to some trade agreement which would admit of a large and reciprocal expansion, with more frequent and «more important commercial 1 exchanges. There must be closer economic friendship, and the membe#j of the mission would .do their utmost to that end.

Mr. A. Edwards' saM that New Zea« land's affections were more for-France than for America, but. most of our'cars came from America. One ■ line ,of tires was imported from France, because of its splendid organisation in New Zealand. ■ Some of the- cars were know^,. but they came here almost by accident. The whole trouble was the lack of personal contact and of information. -New Zealand was a. free agent when buying, and if France wanted this trade she must proceed to secure it by personal contact.

After the address there was a general discussion and conversation , with M. Petriquin, who was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.