EASTERN MARKETS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 29 August 1924, Page 6

EASTERN MARKETS.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR AMERICA

HOPES OF MR. "WILFORD. •

THE SHIPPING DIFFICULTY

(EY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON. Aug. 2S.

The question of trade with the East was iutorduced doing a debate in the House to-day by the Leader of the Opposition. (Mr. T. M. Wilford). Mr. 'Wilford said that notwithstanding the failures of the past, he had the gieatest confidence in the possibilities of establishing this trade. So far as China was concerned, there was an immense field. A total of £5,000.000 worth flour was sent into Chinalast year, more flour now being consumed than rice. Canada was doing the largest share of the wheat trade, and was also doing a good trade in butter. Australian butter was greatly valued, but it could not supply all demands, and it was known that both Australia and Canada were buying New Zealand butter and shipping it a* Australian and Canadian. When he was in Hongkong he counted 412 ships lying in the harbour that he could* see. Java had a population equal to England, "Wales and Scotland, and when it was remembered what the populations of China and Japan were they would have some idea of the enormous field to be exploited. He referred to the formation of an Australian company to exploit the East. The nominal capital of the company was £1,000,000, but there was behind this large organisation £8,000,000, and what he supported was that some effort should be made, to enable New Zealand to participate in the business with this Australian company, so that such New Zealand articles of trade as were suitable for the Eastern trade could be sent to the Eastern markets.

He quoted the opinions of prominent Australians in support of the possibilities of Eastern trade for Australia. These opportunities were equally open to New Zealand. He did not know whether New Zealand merchants would do anything to inquire into these possibilities, but when we found New Zealand butter being sold in the East at a profit by others there was no reason why we should not put our own products before the millions of people in 'the East who were waiting to receive them.

The Minister for Commerce, (the Hon. W. Downi© Stewart) said the trading conditions between New Zealand and Australia were' not quite the same. We had certain preferential duties which wo would have to withdraw if we, for instance, wished to go into the Java Lea trade, and Cabinet had decided that it would he better to maintain the preferential duties and do our trade with British possessions: His experience was that, most merchants preferred that the Governmentshould keep out of any attempt to develop trade with the East, leaving it to private enterprise. j-i ar| d s great difficulty, added the Minister, was one from which Australia did not suffer, viz., direct shipping. If this could he overcome he \\ as assured that New Zealand manufacturers were prepared to send travellers to the East and beat up trade. Government trade- commissioners were not much use, because they could not get at the heart of tilings. what was wanted were men uho could bring their specialised knowledge to bear on business, but- without direct and regular shipping little cou cl be done by anyone. Little could .be done in dairy produce and frozen meat until adequate cold storage was Supplied. He had no- desire to appear dftcourag.ng, but he. bad to face the facts To d<wod°p trado with the East was molt difficult than many supposed, but the Government was willing* to assist in getting reliable information which would he of value to New Zealand tiaders. He would much prefer that individual effort should be made on behalf of New Zealand rather than combining with Australia, and if shipping facilities could be obtained he e sine New Zealand manufacturers would make this effort The Hon. 7>. Buddo (Kaiapoi) ui^ed let to do somethings ■frm-n , • • sh . l PPmg with the Eastfiqin the shipping combines. 11 cxi¥ as . s(? y said he was convinced that Britain provided our best mar bets’ he d " e n V, lst insure those markets. because all sorts of competitors 3 t 0 «!*»•* a™ by * ? °m ? eans - Something had been said about t-he quality of he wf« ea f aU - 1 produc ' 6 fa Uina off. This he was-afraid, was true, but it milht be accounted for to some extent Lv the extremely bad season „i • u • terfei-pH „.;,i l i season, which mtcileieri with home separation Noth , mg was done at the last- Imperial Con ference about subsiding sliimW W tl ' al -« S pe™a„e„t“ m ' > * "■°" ,d be