TRADE WITH THE EAST

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 84, 8 April 1936, Page 6

TRADE WITH THE EAST

A NATIONAL QUESTION

A letter was recently received by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce asking for its support in obtaining from the Government a small grant to assist in promoting trade between New Zealand and the East, more particularly with China. Referring to this question at a meeting of the council of the chamber last evening the vice-president (Mr. J. T. Martin) said that the application was involved in the large question of Government representation in the East, covering Japan, China, Malay Straits, and Dutch East Indies. At the present time, the first in our history, we had direct shipping connection with Japan, and our freights, therefore, were now on a parity with Australian shippers. Australia, however, enjoyed ihe advantage of direct steamship service to Dutch East Indies and Malay Straits, and these were the countries which today afforded a good outlet for Australian butter and dried milk. Though we had a direct service to Japan, that, country did not figure much in butter imporations, due to the 6Jd per pound duty and the exchange equalisation duty of 2Jd per pound—total BJd. On the other hand, Japan was buying heavily in wool, scrapiron, hides, casein, etc., and the new direct monthly service would probably effect a general increase in trading between here and Japan. He moved that the question of trade representation in the East be referred to the Associated Chambers of Commerce for consideration. '

Mr. A. J. Curtis seconded the motion. The question, he said, was really a national one. '

The motion was> tarried.