TRADE WITH JAPAN

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 11, 12 July 1930, Page 14

TRADE WITH JAPAN

THE SHIPPING PROBLEM

A POSSIBLE SERVICE

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, 10 th July

Possibilities, of the development of the export; trade of the Dominion are foreshadowed by an ' announcement that the Osaka-Shosen-Kaisha Shipping Line of Japau is seriously contemplating tho establishment of a regular service between Melbourne and New Zealand as an extension of the existing service between Japan and Eastern Australian ports.

A statement to this effect is coatained in a letter, received by Dr. 13. P.. Neale, secretary of the, Auckland Chamber of Commerce, from Mr. L. J. Schmitt, New Zealand Government representative in Sydney. A letter sent to Mr. Sehiuitt recently by the Auckland chamber touched upon the question of the MelbourneAuckland cargo services, pointing out existing irregularities and asking Mr. Schmitt' to take the matter up with Melbourne merchants during his visit to that city to ascertain their, feelings. The letter stated that the chamber had received a letter from the Uniou Steam Ship Company in which it was stated that the onus was. on Auckland merchants to show that regular time-table sailings on this route would be remunerative. The company also expressed an opinion that so long as Australia continued to be hostile toward New Zealand produce it was unlikely that regular sailjngS between Auckland and Melbourne would be warranted. THE JAPANESE PROPOSAL. Iji his reply Mr. Schmitt mentions the Osaka-Shosen-Kaisha Line's proposal. Its service if established would be from Melbourne to tho chief New Zealand ports. Auckland Avould bo the final port of call, and the steamers would leave Auckland for Sydney. Although this was not exactly what was desired by Auckland merchants, it would create a certain regular service which might tend toward the improvement of other services. "There is-no doubt1 that such a service would' considerably improve the present trade facilities between New Zealand and Japan," he concluded. Vessels from Japan would be able to bring cargoes direct to New Zealand after calling, at Australian ports, and the expensive transhipments which at present exercise a crippling effect upon trade between tho two countries would be eliminated.." TRADE POSSIBILITIES. "The possibilities of the suggested service lie in tho fact that we shall be able' to have direct contact with Japan on our export side," said Mr. "W. A. Boucher, managing director of Spedding, Ltd., and a member of the Importers' Coniinittee- of the Chamber of Commerce. "In the past New Zealand has been practically r shut out of the export trade with Japan owing to prohibitive freight charges. Some time ago we received.inquiries from Japan for various by-products of moat works, dried and condensed milk, and tinned meat, but as we could not hope to be competitive in the price we were unable to opon negotiations. Whether these articles are still saleable in Japan I do not know, but I am almost sure they are from the importer's point of view. If shipments could be obtained there would naturally be a great saving, as it is anticipated that freights would be lower than at present when goods are transhipped to Sydney. "At the present time tho companies which maintain the freight services between. Australia ■ and New Zealand are iii' a complicated position owing to the fact that they have only one-way loading. This is likely to continue so long as Australian policy prevents a more equitable interchange of goods between the two conntries." \