TRADE OF THE ORIENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18295, 11 January 1923, Page 9

TRADE OF THE ORIENT.

FIELD FOR NEW ZEALAND. NEGLECTED OPPORTUNITIES. ! BT THOMAS .1. MCIIAHON, F.8..G.5. There are 460 millions of people in the Orient—China and Japan. Hundreds of ' thousands have embraced civilisation, : thousands more annually are awakening to the ideals, the customs, the needs, the general conditions of modern civilisation. In other words the peoples.' of the Orient have a great commercial value. They are demanding in largequantities the food, the • clothing," the manufactured products of, modern commerce. The change that has come to the Oriental peoples, in the last quarter-century, is nothing less than marvellous; it is a. distinct revelation, assuring the possibility that another 50 years will see the complete modernLaition of the millions of the Orient. In the present competitive keenness of commercial nations, with the modern accessories of aeroplanes, railways, and motor transport spreading to new areas, there is not a day but something definite is being attained, some sign of commercial progress made apparent, in the lands of the Orient. : To the commercial world this is an event of the utmost importance; it means the trade value of the world is to jump a thousand-fold. The demands of; the Orient must revolutionise commerce and industry. There will be necessary an enormous increase in shipping, of hundreds of thousands of acres more in the cultivation of food products. This vast trade will as-, sure constant employment to workers. It should especially be so' in New Zealand and Australia, within the immediate zone of Orient trade. Britain, America, France, and Canada, as instances of great commercial nations, are' eagerly recognising the possibilities of . the coming trade, and are impressively active in securing a sound and permanent footing. ■ i -■'-■'"-'■ A Natural Field. The Orient, geographically, is a most natural field for New Zealand trade enterprise, and yet it is a very remarkable fact the Dominion has not evinced much interest, nor is even considering this trade. The omission is incomprehensible; it is glaringly unenterprising in the face of the fact of the vigorous efforts of America and Canada latter only recently entering the trade—both securing large orders for such products as meats, dairy productSj fruits, flour, bacon; arid jams,' products which New Zealand can offer in perfect qualities. The secret of American and Canadian success lies in .effort, ■. direct ,and determined. These nations, .are sending out numerous representatives to. teach the peoples .of the Orient of v American and Canadian commodities. , These are persistently advertised, kept well in. the public eye. Goods are attractively got up. and in strict accordance with the ■ suggestions and wishes of Oriental customers. The greatest care is exercised in packing and Shipments. Energetic agencies are being established in all modern, cities and treaty ports. . Trade .representatives are diligently . studying Oriental methods of business, the intricacies of Oriental currencies. In short, the principle of "True to label " is a condition giving America and Canada a firm footing in,the; Orient, and with those food products which New Zealand is able to supply in 1 larger quantities and better qualities. American Enterprise^ ! An interesting example of the keenness j of American efforts to secure trade in the Orient is worth giving. There.is ever a big demand-for commercial timbers, for building, furniture, piles, railway sleepers, - and street ■ blocks, which-New Zealand can offer in many varieties and great quantities; The Shanghai municipality, British-managed, and famous for its modernness, colled tenders for the blocking and street laying of suburban' streets. An American * firm requested that instead of tendering- it should be given the opportunity of showing the class of work it could .do; and the quality of materials ' it used, : in being allowed to lay . down one street, this to bo done free of charge, and to be judged after 12 months as to quality, and standing. The test proved most successful, and to-day that American firm is laying down streets in every city and large town of China and Japan. : ■ • - - ■■'■•/'..■: -■' ■■-"■-. . While it is not necessary New Zealand firms should demonstrate their capabilities so expensively, the same class of enterprise should , : be carried out in:'securing x orders for food products. There is this to be guaranteed-—such efforts will secure prompt encouragement. The ; time "is" rip« for seeking /a; trade footingin the Orient; the longer efforts are delayed, the more persistent will they need to be in. the future,' and the fewer, will .be the opportunities. The representatives of many countries are busy; even so the Germans, who two years ago would hardly dare to set foot in Oriental countries. To-day Germain trade is making . a remarkable headway. : t . ..... No Insurmountable Barriers.- | .; New Zealand representatives need have no fears of any insurmountable difficulties; as an instance there is no pressing need in. speaking and writing Oriental languages. English is very generally understood; indeed it is the commercial language. j In. the modernisation of the Orient, ; cold storage, shipping and transport facilities, and the general up-to-dateness of handling cargoes, are all ; Ehere to assißt the delivery of products in excellent;. : condition.' ■ ,'•,.". There is an immediate market for the following products and commodities :-r Fruits (dried, fresh and canned), wool, and woollen goods, cotton goods, clothing, leather, bottles, '- timbers, < tallow, ores, machinery, agricultural implements, general hardware, and all kinds of manufactured ■ articles, especially food - goods;;/;