MARKETS IN EAST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21562, 5 August 1933, Page 18

MARKETS IN EAST

NEED OF NEW ZEALAND WHAT WOMEN CAN DO That New Zealand should turn her attention more vigorously to tho matter of obtaining new markets in tho East was tho subject of an address entitled " Linking up with tho World," which Mrs. F. Bauer gave to members of tho Overseas League yesterday afternoon. In discussing her subject Mrs. Bauer said that ever since she came to New Zealand she had heard and read constant references to "glutted markets" and "quotas," and it was very evident that the future development of Now Zealand could only be accomplished by better trade connections. Business men had held deputations and meetings, but nothing had come of them. She was now making an appeal to tho women to tako a greater interest in New Zealand's future for tho sake of their sons and daughters and to spur the men oii to greater efforts, as did the women of Australia. Women must take more interest in world affairs, said Mrs. Bauer, and think moro internationally. Self-nationalism was one of tho curses of the world to-day. Shipping Difficulties Mrs. Bauer stressed the fact that markets were lying at our doors, but people were led to believe that they were not to our advantage. "■ An authority hero stated that England was the only market for New Zealand and that New Zealand could not compete with Australia in Java or the East bccauso she would have transhipping services to pay. That was true, thereforo it was necessary to have a direct shipping service. The speaker told her hearers that a big shipping company opened a direct line to the East 25 years ago from Australia with small ships of 2000 tons. Now they. 4*ad liners of 11,000 tons. There was no reason for freight charges being higher if goods were sent direct and not transhipped in Australia. Tho same authority stated that thousands of natives did not eat our foodstuffs, but it must be remembered that the East was teaming with millions of Europeans, Eurasians, rich Chinese, Malayans, Javanese and British Indians, who ate our European foods, and when the Singapore base was completed a big colony of Europeans would be stationed there. Nor was there lack of cold storage. Australia sent to the East over one hundred thousand tons of cargo per annum. Her trade with the Eastern countries was nearly £18,000,000 in 1930-31. Tho trade to one town alone was £3,500,000 and that of New Zealand only £17,0g0. It was time to wake up and. act. Australia's "Show Boat" Another fault was that representatives were sent from New Zealand who had no knowledge of the country or of its requirements. When other countries sent representatives they sent those with a full knowledge of prevailing commercial conditions. These should be carefully studied. The Australian National Women's League brought to the Australian Government's notice about three years ago the need of developing markets in the Pacific and as a result a Show Boat was sent with all Australian samples of goods on board. How successful that enterprise Was most people have since heard. In conclusion the speaker strongly urged women to take a more international view and to demand that New Zealand should link up with the world.