TRADE WITH JAVA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18019, 18 February 1922, Page 8

TRADE WITH JAVA.

DOMINION'S PROSPECTS.

A GUARDED OPINION.

[by telegraph.—own

CHIUSTCHURCE Friday.

Questioned to-day as to the prospects of trade between Java and New Zealand Mr. J. C.'McColl. of Batavia, who w touring the Dominion, spoke rather guardedly, pointing out that the European population of Java, as compared with its native population, was almost negligible. The native men were far from energetic and tho buik of the work was done by the women. Consequently, though the natives would eat meat, they were not in a position to bay it. At present Java did a fair trade with Australia in Hour, butter, biscuits and jam, and it would be in these lines that I any trade with New Zealand would have I to'be developed. Mr. McColl was i* ! dined to think New Zealand's greater I distance from Java would operate detfl- ! mentally in the way of Dominion proj ducts obtaining a footing in Java, w ! against those from Australia. A trati* I in boots had sprung up with Australia, but it was not yet proved that it would be a permanency. The native trade was the important trade and the natives chiefly demanded Manchester goods. Java could send in return for New Zealand goods tea and sugar, though in respect to Java sugar he was informed that 3 duty of i<l a lb. had been put on Javan sugar, apparently with the idea of protecting sugar manufactured elsewhere. Summing up matters Mr. McCnll said there was, good business to bo done in Java once'a footing was obtained and it might be possible for New Zealand, atsuming that the Australian producers and manufacturers were unable to reduce cost* by reducing wages, to get a footing by marketing goods equal in quality to Australian goods at lower prices.