TRADE OVERSEAS

Evening Star, Issue 18807, 4 December 1924, Page 9

TRADE OVERSEAS

MISSION IN AMERICA. LARGE MARKET IN TOE WEST. Coincident with the last trip of the Union qSteam Ship Company’s liner Maunganui there arrived in San I‘ranciseo Messrs John E. Wimsloo and Claude Haigh, representing that vigorous organ* sat ion known as “ Tours, Now Zealand, Ltd.,” with which is incorporated “The White Star” Overseas Mission (writes the San Francisco correspondent of the Auckland ‘ Star,’ Hinder date October 20). These gentlemen, who are directors of the body, which is under the auspices of tlie various chambers of commerce of New Zealand, and rejoicing in the distinguished patronage of His Excellency the Governor-General, Viscount Jellicoe, carried letters of introduction to several important institutions in America, and they met with a most cordial reception from all quarters of California, au eager desire being exhibited on the part of Americans to learn something of the potentialities of the countries “ down under.” The first public appearance of the New Zealand directors was before the assembled members of the San Francisco Wholesale Dairy Produce Exchange in that organisation’s building, and Mr W. H. Roussel, president of the body, occupied the chair at one of the largest gatherings in the history of the dairymen of California. Those in attendance included every branch of the dairy industry, a. i in formally introducing the visitors to tho meeting, Mr Roussel paid a number of compliments to New Zealand. 'Following the exhibition of films projected on the screen depicting every phase pf Nyw Zealand’s dairying trade, and after ' hearing the accompanying lecture on the subject by both Mr Haigh and Mr Winsloe, very high praise was accorded New Zealand, tho chairman remarking that he had no idea that the butter industry had reached such gigantic proportions in such a small country as New Zealand. Many Americans, he said, were fully aware of the superior quality of tile variety of cheese and butter manufactured in New Zealand, and that it was being exported to all parts of the world. Ho referred to difficulties which had arisen in the United States with regard to the importation of New Zealand butter, but believed a more serviceable size of package in which it was sold by retailers could easily be remedied, BIG TRADE ASSURED. Mr Roussel went into various details concerning the class of cheese and butter preferred by Americans, and after once more congratulating tho New Zealand directors on the remarkable quality of dairy products sent abroad by the dominion, he declared there was no doubt a 'large market in California existed for butter and cheese from New Zealand provided tho trade was handled in the proper way. Several merchants and importers at the close of tho meeting approached the New Zealand visitors, and asked them numerous questions concerning the nature of goods manufactured in the dominion, irrespective of butter and cheese, especially canned goods. “ And,” said Mr Winsloe, “we were fortunately able to put them in touch with manufacturers in New Zealand, proving conclusively to ns that this will lead to business between the two countries and a development of a profitable trading.” A number of Sun Francisco Dairy Exchange members met Messrs Haigh and Winsloe later, and one individual discussed with tho latter the question of the extent of moisture in the New Zealand butter. These facts were readily supplied, and they wer-e carefully noted t-y the American dairymen, _ particularly oy tho importers who had in mind the extensive importation of butler for the American markets.

An unlooked-for phase of the situation developed when inquiries were made by the Ran Francisco merchants regarding New Zealand ns an egg-exporting country, and much useful data on this point was volunteered by the New Zealand directors, addresses of New Zealand exporters of eggs being furnished, as the representatives of the dominion were informed that there is a big market for eggs in America, despite the fact that the world’s greatest “hennery” of Petaluma is but a comparatively short distance from Ran Francisco. The domestic supply, it transpired, is not sufficient to meet the great and growing American demand for “hen fruit.” AMERICANS INTERESTED.

Across the bay from San Francisco is the beautiful city of Berkeley, the college city of Californio, and at the California State University Mr Winsloe and Mr Haigli responded to a pressing invitation to elucidate to the faculty find the 11.000 students obtaining their education there some idea, of the educational side of Now Zealand. 11 IVo exhibited a, number of our New Zealand educational films at the university,” said Mr Haigh subsequently, “ and they evoked high enconiums ■and a request that we supply university authorities with those films for the purpose of screening on the educational circuits throughout the State. As this was the only set of the kind wo had brought with us across the Pacific, we have made arrangemnts for procuring a special set for the use of the California. State University.” Alluding to matters in general, Mr Haigh stated tha t the numerous inquiries elicited ns a. result of their visit promised very favorably for an increased tourist traffic from America to New Zealand. “ Wo have, been met on till sides by the most wonderful hospitality,” said Mr Haigh, “and the intense interest evinced in our addresses and remarks concerning New Zealand has been very gratifying, and positively shows that the American merchants and tourists are anxious to enlarge! their field of operations. It would appear from their comments that the dominion of New Zealand will receive a fair amount of attention from the State of California in the near future.”

With a, view to promoting an extensive tourist travel by Americans, the Now Zealand visitors lost no opportunity while they were in Californio, and intended to prosecute a. similar policy in other pans of the United Slates at. a later date of ini-westing (ho sporting fraternity of America in giving the attractions of the dominion some attention when arranging world tours. There is an astonishing ignorance in America, relative to the scenic beauties of New Zealand, although a feuhave a remote idea of tho glories of Rotorua, the Waitomo Caves, Mount Cook, and some of the southern lakes; but apart from this, a policy of education is essential to develop a fair amount of tourist travel in New Zealand on the part of Americans.