MARKETS IN CHINA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21991, 24 December 1934, Page 10

MARKETS IN CHINA

DOMINION'S OPPORTUNITY

A DEVELOPING COUNTRY REPRESENTATION NEEDED Prospects of future markets for Now Zealand primary products in China were reviewed by Colonel L. M. Cosgrave, former Canadian Trade Commissioner at Shanghai, who is a through passenger on the Niagara which arrived at Auckland last evening. Pie is travelling to Melbourne, where ho has been transferred, and is accompanied bv Mrs. Cosgrave and two children. Colonel Cosgrave spent ten years as tragic commissioner at Shanghai. "New- Zealand has a great opportunity for establishing new markets in China, provided that tlie negotiations arc intelligently handled and there is definite representation," said Colonel Cosgrave. The British Empire was regarded by China in a more friendly way at present than it had been for the past 30 years. Present Opportunities Tho timo was ripo for outsido countries to make serious efforts to secure trndo in China, stated Colonel Cosgrave. China was working in well with the foreign business man. The Chinese were only beginning to use and to understand the value of dairy produce. They regarded the health of their children as a primary concern, and this would be an important consideration in connection with tho importation oi foodstuffs. As far as the future market for wool was concerned, lie considered that within the next live or ten years there would bo a keen demand by China for the raw product from the growing countries. Mo based his remarks on the fact that Jdio first woollen mill was now in the course of construction at Shanghai. It would be some little time yet before the market becamo properly organised, but this was a beginning. A thorough examination of the existing conditions would be well worth while. "Markets in China nro certainly going to develop," lie said. China was out of the depression now, and large interests were starting to look further afield for possible agreements. Shanghai handled about 60 per cent of China's exports. Many different commodities were imported from Canada, ranging from primary products such as timber, wheat and flour, to machinery and electric cookers. Defence Force Commander

Colonel Cosgravc said that his stay of ten years in Shanghai had been-very interesting. In that period there had been nine changes of rule, and at various times sharp dificrences of opinion between Japan, China and Russia bad led to very unsettled times The Shanghai Defence Force had been commanded by Colonel N. A\. B. B Thorns, a New Zealander, who he considered had never received sufficient. credit for the splendid work he had done. The members consisted of '2'.i different nationalities, and Colonel Thorns had been an excellent leader, keeping order throughout a very difficult period. Colonel Cosgravc spent a fortnight in Honolulu at the time of tho extensive search by the American Army, Navy and Air Force for Mr. C. T. P. TJlin, who was lost while flying between California and Honolulu, "ft was a magnificent performance," be stated. There was 40,000,000 dollars' worth of, equipment engaged in a tremendous search, and no ono spared themselves in their efforts to find the missing aviators. Some of the pilots were flying 11 hours a day, and ono officer totalled 4ft hours in six days.