TRADE IN THE EAST

Grey River Argus, 21 September 1938, Page 2

TRADE IN THE EAST

OPENING NEW MARKETS. A boycott of Japanese goods was one of thfr/ffiost marked features of Singapore commercial .life noticed by Mr. H. j; kelliher during a holiday visit to the East, from which he re- < turned to Auckland by the Wanganel-, la from Sydney. The boycott, he said, was most successful, because the Chinese.not only refused to buy Japanese goods, but also refrained from purchasing anything from a store which, included r Japanese articles. among its tvares. ; As a result, said Mr. Kelliher, Brit • ish and other firms which formerly . stocked Japanese ■ commodities were ; now getting their goods, from elsewhere. This had been of consider- ; able benefit to other countries, as was shown by the great expansion in Dutch exports of condensed milk. He was surprised to learn that Japan had formerly held the bulk of this trade, which was of substantial dimensions because fresh milk was very scarce in Singapore, and because it was. very largely Used in coffee houses. Speaking of the possibilities of New Zealand trade expansion in the Singa-, pore area, Mr. Kelliher said A that goods sent there would; have to be competitively priced. The main, market, of coUrse, was the immense native population, and commodities had to be cheap. New Zealand mutton ’ and lamb were already' being handled there, but he had. heard complaints that it was top extensive. Australia was doing a substantial trade in a- variety of articles, and apparently these goods were being,, sold at a competitive price. The price factor was un-■ doubtedly the maim consideration when thinking of New Zealand trade expansion in the East. ~,\