TRADE WITH EAST

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 210, 18 August 1933, Page 6

TRADE WITH EAST

GOVERNMENTS PART "EVERY EFFORT MADE.” REPLY TO CRITICS. "Every effort is being made by the Government and by my department, to exploit the markets of the East, ’ ’ wrote the Acting-Minister of Industries, and Commerce, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, to the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce. The letter was in reply to criticism levelled at the Government by the chamber in regard to what seemed to be a policy of inactivity, while Australia was benefiting from New. Zealand’s investigations in the East two years ago. In explaining the Government’s viewpoint the Minister added: — "But, as in most other parts of the world, the East has been badly affected by the slump and the purchasing power of the people has suffered in consequence. It is hoped, however, that when world economic conditions improve, the efforts that have been made will bear fruit. The following comments will acquaint your chamber with the nature of the work that is being done. i MUCH VALUABLE WORK. "Following upon the visit of the New Zealand Trade and Tourist Commissioner io the Dutch East Indies and Malaya in 1931, a considerable amount of valuable work has been performed by my department. The information obtained as a result of the investigation has been disseminated to persons and firms throughout New Zealand, and those persons and firms who have been interested have been placed in touch with business houses in those countries. Definite orders for various commodities have been received in certain cases as a result of the contacts so made, and it may be expected that from these efforts alone our trade will show some increase in the future. Inquiries are constantly being received for New Zealand products from all parts of the East, particularly Malaya, India, and China. Action is being taken by my department in all such cases to put the inquirers in touch -with New Zealand firms likely to be interested. "Representations have been made to various shipping companies in regard to the extension of shipping facilities, and improvements have been effected in certain directions. The main difficulty in the way of any considerable increase in our exports to the East is still, however, the inadequacy or lack of regular direct shipping services, and the comparatively high rates of freight from New Zealand. WAYPORT RESTRICTIONS. "In the past, New Zealand has not been able to ship fruit (apples and pears) to the ‘Dutch East Indies, Malaya, India, Ceylon and other parts of the East owing to the existence of certain quarantine regulations in Australia which prevented, or at any rate, hindered, the transhipment of such fruit at Sydney. As a result of representations made to the Commonwealth some time ago, my department was advised that there would now be no restriction on transhipment at Sydney of any of our fruit forwarded in transit to places outside Australia. So far as our fruit is concerned there is now, as a result of these efforts, no obstacle in the way of export from New Zealand to the East via Sydney. "Regulations are in existence in Japan which not only prevent the export of fruit to that country, but also prevent the transhipment of our fruit at a Japanese port for China, Hongkong and elsewhere. The New Zealand Government recently made representations to the Japanese Government with a view to the removal of the disabilities so far aS the transhipment at Japanese ports is concerned, but unfortunately the reply received docs not offer much hope that the restrictions will be removed in the near future. IMPORTANCE REALISED. ti "My department recently arranged with various firms throughout the Dominion for a comprehensive display of New Zealand products to be made at an Empire fair which took place at Hongkong in May. This fair proved to be a great success, and it is hoped that exports of certain products from New Zealand to Hongkong will show some increase in the future as a direct result of the publicity obtained at the fair. My department arranged with the Unipn Steam Ship Company, Limited, and the Huddart, Parker Company, Limited, for bona fide exhibits to bo carried at half the ordinary freight rates between New Zealand and Australian ports, aud the A. and 0. Line also agreed to carry such exhibits at half ordinary rates between Australian ports and Hongkong. "My department has had in view the extension of New Zealand’s honorary representation in various parts of the East, and it now has representatives in India, Ceylon, Hongkong, and China who are of considerable assistance in submitting market reports and other information essential to New Zealand exporters desirous of extending their trade with such countries. "I can assure you that the importance of the East as a market for our produce is fully recognised, and that no opportunity is being lost to open and develop our trade with that part of the world.” Mr James Chrisp stated that Japanese boats were now arriving in New Zealand every month, and trade was fast increasing. Mr T. Corson said that the Government was paying heavy subsidies to San Francisco and Vancouver services, which were of very little use to NewZealand. The Government could see, apparently, that there was something in the Eastern trade, but nothing was being dono ,to help. Australia was doing its utmost, and it seemed as though New Zealand woud try to get in after the door was shut on it. It was agreed that nothing more could be done in the matter at present.