TRADE WITH CANADA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21935, 19 October 1934, Page 15

TRADE WITH CANADA

THE EXPORT OF ONIONS. STATEMENT BY MINISTER [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Thursday The development of trade in New Zealand onions with Canada was the subject of • a statement made to-dav by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. R. Masters, who said he had given close attention to the question for the past three years. There was now general recognition, he added, that New Zealand was a factor in the Canadian market, both in the eastern and western provinces. The Minister said that, under the provisions of the trade agreement, New Zealand onions enter Canada free. The progress made in recent years was shown by the following figures:—l 932, 80,1261b.; 1933, 627,0291b.; 1934, 2,272,6781b. The proportion of the total import trade which could be secured by New Zealand was estimated at approximately 25 per cent. The total Canadian import of onions last year was 17,000,0001b., so there was reasonable prospect of New Zealand marketing in Canada about 1750 tons a season. The Canadian market was one of strong competition, and New Zealand exporters should ensure that their product arrived in Canada in good order, that packing complied with market requirements, and that onions arrived at a period of the year which would minimise opposition from Canadian growers. The normal exporting months for onions of the type supplied by New Zealand were May, June and July, but some arrived as early as February this year that aroused considerable criticism, because of competition with local supplies held in cold storage. The New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Canada, Mr. J. W. Collins, would visit New Zealand toward the end of the vear, and would be willing to interview those interested in the export of onions.