NEW HEBRIDES

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 9, 12 January 1932, Page 11

NEW HEBRIDES

TBADE WITH DOMINION

TARIFF RESTRICTIONS

AVith a view to making representations to the Government on the question of the establishment of reciprocal trade relations between the Now Hebrides Islands and New Zealand, a New Hebrides' planter arrived in Wellington yosterbVay from Auckland.- In <w interview with a "Post" representative today he explained the difficulties at present in the way of the development of trade on a suitable basis. /

He said that about six months ago Messrs. Burns, Philp, and Co. inaugurated a steamer service between the New Hebrides and Auckland, and the traders were anxious that it should continue, but that, of course, depended upon the trading that could ■bo done. At the present time, however, they wero handicapped, their goods being treated as coming from a foreign country. "The New Hebrides," ho said; "are regarded as foreign possessions by .the New Zealand: Government as far as the general tariffs are concerned, notwithstanding -tho fact that they are treated as a; French colony by the French-Government. As there is a condominium—tho New Hebrides being British, and French —and New Zealand is part of the British Empire, we consider that New Zealand should follow the same lines as the French Government in this matter. -..:.■.-

'.'There are some valuable products in the New,.Hebrides and the land is rich and tropical. We have such products as cocoa beans, eoffeo beans, cotton, copra, and the best bananas grown in -the Pacific, which should find a ready sale in New Zealand. On the Other, hand, the New Hebrides would take New Zealand butter, clothing, and general 'merchandise.; { New Zealand could do a considerable trade with the New Hebrides.: .-:The u duty.on goods is Small —in .fact, practically nothing— whereas goods irom the New Hebrides ato met with.- formidable foreign -tariffs itt'this country.;.,. .;. .--. . '. ~

' ."Tho -'New. .Hebrides .itie. well worth a visit;' T : hc -white, population is- about 1500-,- and-taost of-'the..inhabitants are settlers,^: and -planters..- The- .:s.teamer Mor'inda,' which: is at present; maintaining a.regular- "service,' brings the islands within six !o_r seven days' sail of; Auckr land, but 'if trade relations .are : dovelpped" the time taken on. the trip possibly could ber reduced: by a day. ;. ■■ "There"are also-minerals of several descriptions on the island, and in addition to the. products already mentioned we could supply New Zealand with tomatoes .when they are not available here. We would be. quite ready to ship bananas straight away." It was also t pointed out to VThe Post" representative that the cotton, the New, Hebrides could supply would warrant the1 establishment of: cotton mills in this country, which,'besides pro-, viding employment for a number of workers', would'probably mean arreduction in the market-price of cotton goods." • . , , •