TRADE WITH CHINA

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 143, 14 December 1933, Page 23

TRADE WITH CHINA

ALTERNATIVE MARKETS

BUSINESS MEN'S VIEWS

A joint meeting of the exporters' and importers' committees of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce lias had under consideration a letter from the Advertising and Publicity Bureau, Ltd., Hong Kongj Malaya, and China, and discussed the' suggestions tendered for increasing New Zealand's trade with tho Chinese. In a report submitted to the council of the chamber last evening, tho joint committee said that the Dairy Produce and Meat Boards had given careful attention to tho developing and exploiting of the Eastern markets, and tho following; extracts from recent reports of" the Dairy Board were of interest in this connection: —1932—"Australia possesses enormous • advantages over New Zealand in her closer proximity to tho East with a rogular'steainer service, added to a high favourable exchange,rate, and an export bonus under"1 the Paterson Plan, . "." . Australia muat always retain A price advantage." 1033—"Eeport brought to light nothing that would justifyytho ..board's undertaking extra expenditure on developing Eastern markets. ... In spite of extremely low prices in later years Australia's quantity has not increased and wo can see no permanent increase in tho total accruing, to New Zealand apart from undor-cutting^ of prices. This is neither profitable nor businesslike. Australia by reason of* .lower freight rates and tho Patcrson P.lan can still beat us on.a price basis." . . CHINESE DELEGATION. "Tho suggestion for a deputation of Chinese merchants to bo invited to visit New Zealand appears to bo a good one," stated the joint committee "Such a delegation of courso would be interested in looking also to tho opportunities for entry of Chinese goods into the Dominion, and there is also tho aspect of tourist trade. : . "Arrangements would requiro to be made for itinerary and entertaining of the delegation while in New Zealand; and the export boards could no doubt sec to this, and expend in the Dominion's interests any moneys required that will enable the best expansion of trade. "The writer from Hong Kong offers (for a consideration estimated at about £40) to do the preliminary work in organising the delegation at the Chinese end; and further offers to prepare a survey and report upon South China (cost about £100) and^upon Malaya (cost about £90). • • . "It is understood that some New Zealand dairy produce exporters havo for some years had representatives travelling the East, and useful information could no.doubt be obtained from these sources of what further steps and facilities could be considered'to further New Zealand's trade interests in tho East. One aspect must be kept in mind, and that is that if New Zealand's produce is to be restricted in entry into the Homo markets, then much greater attention than in the past will have to be devoted to alternative markets and buyers for tho Dominion's production •will havo to be found even at a price that may leave much to ; be desired."