FOUR NEW STEAMERS FOR EXTENDED TRADE BETWEEN DOMINIONS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7018, 18 September 1929, Page 4

FOUR NEW STEAMERS FOR EXTENDED TRADE BETWEEN DOMINIONS

New Zealand and Canada

GUARANTEE OF FROZEN MEAT CARGOES SOUGHI

TREMENDOUS INCREASE,

From Our Parliamentary Reporter. WELLINGTON, Last Night.

Expressing the hope that nothing would be done to injure the Dominion’s trade with Canada, the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Hon. J. G. Cobbo) stated in the House of Representatives to-day that the Government had been informed that four large steamers, equipped with reffigovation plants, would be placed on the service between New 1 Zoaland and Canada by the Canadian National Railway Company if an assurance woro given that frozen meat wquld bo despatched by those vessels at existing rates. The question was raised by Mr W. J. Broadfoot (Waitomo) who askedtho Minister whether the present shipping service between Canada and New Zealand was satisfactory.

Trade between Canada and New Zealand had grown tremendously, said Mr Cobbe. A few years ago, commerce between the two countries amounted to only £400,000, but last year it totalled £2,400,000. If it continued to develop, the balanco whieh was now in favour of Canada, would be overtaken, and we should bo exporting more than we imported. Cabinet had approved of the appointment of a Trade Commissioner in Canada and an annoutsement would bo made shortly. After he had opened .up negotiations in Canada, One of the first duties of tho Trade Commissioner would be to visit some of the American centres. The New Zealand Government looked for an extension of .trade in the United States.

Tho Canadian Government had treated New Zoaland very well, said Mr Cobbe. For some time past, the Canadian Railways Company h&d been running a steamer to Now Zealand, but only limited refrigerated epAee was available and little more than 5000 carcases could be shipped at one time. Notv, however, it was suggested that four large steamers should bo put on this run. The vessels would call at New York, Boston, Halifax and Montreal. Such a-service would be of great valtie in building up trade between New Zealand, the United States and Canada . Tho only condition laid down by the company was that a fair share of New Zealand’s frozen meat trado shopld be provided.) “I referred the company’s representative to tho Meat Board,” said Mr Cobbe, “and I understand he Is also getting in touch with the Dairy Board.” The 6hips would tako 12. months to build and the service would be started if the company was assured of a fair share of the frozen meat trade at the same rates as in operation-to-day.. Tho Minister expressed confidence in tho wisdom of tho Me&tr Board, ana hoped nothing would be done to prejudice the development of trade. The company which would run this service owned its' own wharves and railways, said Mr Cobbe, and in addition, it had a great chain ‘of hotels. It was probable that great quantities of lamb exported from New Zealand would bo used in those hotels, and if that w e ro the case, it Would be of great value to the Dominion.