TRADE WITH THE EAST

Evening Star, Issue 18534, 17 January 1924, Page 9

TRADE WITH THE EAST

PROPOSED DIRECT SERVICE [Special to the ‘Star.’] CHRISTCHURCH, January 16. A desire to inercaso New Zealand's trade with tho East and a disinclination to do anything that would adversely affect the trade of a sister dominion was apparent in tho discussion which took place at tonight’s meeting of tho executive of tho Canterbury Industrial Association. The discussion rose after the reading of n letter from the Auckland Provincial Industrial Association in connection with the intention of tho Royal Packet Navigation Company, of Batavia, to establish a direct shipping service between Java, Singapore, and New Zealand. The association desired all commercial men to discuss tho matter, and if the terms were favorable to urge the Government to consider tho proposition favorably. Tho terms referred to in the letter were to tho effect that in return for a direct service New Zealand should remit tho Customs duty on certain lines of Java produce. Tho President (Mr H. R. Best) said the matter was a very important one. Ho considered that there was a great deal to commend tho proposition, for the imports referred to would not affect New Zealand products. Ho considered they shoujd urge tho Government to support the establishment of the proposed shipping line. Mr W. J. Jenkins said they should do all in their power to assist the Government to bring the proposition to fruition. He had gone into the question very fully, and ho was of tho opinion that a remission of duty on certain lines would not adversely affect Now Zealand. Mr T. W. Woodroffe said that when the trade grew the Dutch would have a big monopoly. Mr H, Willis said it would bo best to first ask tho Hon. W. Downio Stewart to go into the question of tariffs before the association made a declaration. Mr E. H. Wyles said that they should not loso sldit of the fact that the now trade would take tho tea trade from tho sister dominion of Ceylon. Ho moved that the proposition bo sent forward to the Industrial Corporation for favorable consideration.

Several members objected to the inclusion of tho word “ favorable ” on the ground that they were not prepared to favor tho proposition until it had been definitely ascertained that tho concessions asked for by shipping companies would not bo detrimental to tho interests of the sister dominion of Ceylon. Mr Jenkins subsequently withdrew his motion, and Mr T. W. Woodroffe moved that tho association favor tho establishment of a shipping line between Java and New Zealand. Ho said it was his intention to leave the matter of concessions open. Mr Willis moved as an amendment that tho letter from Auckland bo received.

Mr Wyles sail the subject called for fuller consideration than could bo given at that meeting, and it was agreed to defer the discussion on tho question until tho next meeting, members to be supplied with a copy of the Auckland resolution in the meantime.