TRADE WITH JAPAN

Hokitika Guardian, 14 July 1930, Page 3

TRADE WITH JAPAN

LIKELIHOOD OF DIRECT SER VICE

AUCKLAND, July 10

Possibilities of the . development ot the export trade of the Dominion are foreshadowed by an announcement that the Osaka Shosen Kaisha Shipping Line, of Japan, is seriously contemplating the establishment of a regular service between Japan and Eastern Australian ports. A statement to this effect is contained in a letter received by Mi- E. P. ,Neale, secretary of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, from All- L. J. Schmitt, New Zealand Government representative in Sydney. A letter sent to Air Schmitt recently by the Auckland Chamber touched upon the question of Aielbourne-Auck-land cargo services, pointing out the existing irregularities and asking Air Schmitt to take the matter up with Melbourne, merchants during liis visit to that city to ascertain their feeling. The letter said that the Chamber had received a letter from the Union Steam Ship Company iii which it was stated that the onus was on Aucklandmerchants to show that regular timetable sailings on this route would' be remunerative. The company also expressed the opinion that so long as Australia continued to be hostile toward New Zealand produce it was unlikely that regular sailings between Auckland and Melbourne' would ho warranted.

Iji his letter Air Schmitt said the proposed service would be from Melbourne to the chief Now Zealand ports, Auckland would ue the final port ol call and the steamers would leave Auckland for Sydney. Although this was not exactly what was desired by Auckland merchants it would create a certain regular service jvhich might tend toward the improvement of other services.

“There is no doubt that such a service would considerably improve the present trade facilities between New Zealand and Japan. Vessels from Japan would be able to bring cargoes direct to New Zealand after calling at Australian ports and expensive transshipments which at present exercise a crippling effect upon trade between the two countries would be eliminated. The possibilities of the suggested service lie in the fact that we shall be able to have direct, contact with Japan On our export side,” said Air W. A. Boucher, managing director of Spedding, Ltd., and a member of the Importers’ Committee of the Chamber of Commerce. .

In the. past- New Zealand has been practically shut out of the export trade with Japan owing to the prohibitive freight charges. Some time age we received enquiries from Japan for various by products of meat works, dried and condensed milk, and tinned meat, but as we could not hope to be competitive in price we were unable to open negotiations. Whether these articles are still saleable in Japan I do not know, but I am almost sure they are. From the importers point of view, if shipments could be obtained there would. naturally be a great saving, as it is anticipated that freights would be lower than at present when goods are transhipped to Sydney. At the present time the companies which maintain freight services between. Australia and New Zealand are in a complicated -position owing to the fact that they have only one way loading. This is likely to continue so long as the Australian policy prevents a more equitable interchange of goods between the two countries.”