TRADE WITH JAPAN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 226, 22 August 1935, Page 7

TRADE WITH JAPAN.

CONVERSATIONS CONDUCTED.

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, Aug. 21. Informal conversations on tlie subject of New Zealand-J apaneso trade took place on Tuesday between the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Hon. R. Masters) and the commercial secretary to tho Japanese Foreign Office (Mr Yasuto Slrucio), who is also economic adviser to the special goodwill mission from Japan at present visiting the Dominion. Certain arrangements were discussed concerning a proposed direct shipping service between this Dominion, and Japan, and the Minister received a promise from Mr Sliudo that the Bureau of Commerce, which is attached to the foreign Office in Tokio, would co-operate and assist in this matter.

Mr Shudo was informed by Mr Masters that New Zealand was the largest producer of the best crossbred wools in the world, and he pointed out tlrat the Dominion hoped for a greater share of this business from Japan, where, Mr Shudo said, over 300,000 bales of crossbred wool were being imported annually. Most of this class of wool, ho said, was shipped from Victoria, Australia—over 200,000 bales—while South Africa and the Argentine each shipped between 20,000 and 30,000 bales yearly, New Zealand’s proportion being in the vicinity of 30,000 bales. This, Mr Masters explained, was a trade which, if direct shipping were established, might reasonably be increased by New Zealand. The Minister also referred to the possibility of Japan’s buying more tallow here and to the chances ot selling meat there. At present, it was learned, the Argentine is exporting many shiploads of chilled beef to Japan and, while New Zealand has commenced a small trade in this product with that country, the conversations indicated that there were good reasons to believe that New Zealand exports of beef and pork to Japan could be definitely increased considerably. It was learned that very high retail prices were being charged in Japan for beef and that this was one of the main obstacles to large importations. The margin between the retail prices and those which must be regarded as a fair export price is a factor of encouragement for the development of this trade which the IMinistoi has directed his department to investigate.