TRADE WITH THE EAST.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 270, 14 October 1932, Page 6

TRADE WITH THE EAST.

The Government is to be commended for the action it is taking to open up new markets for New Zealand produce by establishing trade between this Dominion and the East. With the rapid increase which is taking place in production not only in the British Empire but also in alien countries,’ and a full recognition of the fact that there is a limit to the produce Britain _ can absorb from New Zealand, it is a wise policy to commence a search for remunerative markets in other countries. In this connection a word of praise is due to the Hon. R. Masters for the efforts he has put forth of late to find fresh markets for New Zealahd producers, a crusade in which he has been _ heartily supported by commercial men who have recently returned from abroad and who have, during their absence, investigated the conditions in England and the possibilities of developing markets in the Far East. On Wednesday an important conference was held at Wellington between Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Mr Masters and representatives of the four Export Control Boards. It is pleasing to learn from Mr Forbes that the conference had proved satisfactory and that definite results may be expected. The wisdom of the venture must be apparent to all who have watched the trend of events in connection with production and marketing in this country, and if the primary producers can obtain another string to their bow in the establishment of new markets in the East, it will be one of the wisest moves for which the Dominion has been responsible of recent years. Already much valuable time has been lost in the development of trade with the East, and while our Government has been halting and hesitating, Australia has been displaying activity, and large shipments of goods from the latter country are sent regularly to Eastern countries. Fortunately, there is still time for New Zealand to gain a footing in these new markets, and it may be expected that the Control "Boards, who are to take charge of the movement, will do the utmost in their power to ensure the success desired.