TRADE DISCUSSIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22195, 23 August 1935, Page 13

TRADE DISCUSSIONS

DOMINION AND JAPAN SCOPE FOR EXPANSION SHIPPING SERVICE QUESTION [by TELEGRAPH —own correspondent] WELLINGTON, Thursday Details of informal conversations which lie had held with Mr. Yasuto Shudo, commercial secretary to the Japanese Foreign Oflice and economic adviser to the Japanese goodwill mission at present in the Dominion, were •riven yesterday by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. R. Masters. The conversations were on trade relations between the Dominion and Japan. Among the points discussed was a proposal for a direct shipping service between New Zealand and Japan, and Mr. Shudo informed the Minister that the Bureau of Commerce attached to the Foreign Office at Tokio would give its full co-operation in the matter. Mr. Masters also ieferred to the Dominion's standing as the largest producer in the world of good crossbred wools, and stated that it was hoped that a greater export trade with Japan would be developed. Figures quoted by Mr. Shudo showed that Japan imported annually over .SOU.OOO bales of crossbred, of which over 200,000 bales came from Australia. South Africa and Argentina each shipped from 20,000 to 30.000 bales annually, while New Zealand's export was also in the vicinity of 30,000 bales. The Minister put forward the view that a direct steamer service might assist the expert of New Zealand wool. Mr. Masters also commented on the meat trade, and was informed that at present Argentina was exporting many shiploads of chilled beef to Japan. New Zealand has only a small trade, but the conversations indicated that the Dominion's exports of beef and pork to Japan could be definitely increased to a marked extent, it was learned that high retail prices are being charged for beef in Japan, and constituted an obstacle to large importations. Mr. Masters stated that he had directed his department to investigate the margin between those retail prices and a figure which could be regarded as a fair export price. VISIT OF MISSION A FAREWELL MESSAGE The following farewell message to Auckland was issued by Mr. Debuchi, leader of the Japanese goodwill mission : "On the eve of my departure from Auckland I wish to express my deep appreciation to the Mayor and citizens for the welcome they have accorded the members of the goodwill mission and myself. In all my 30 years of diplomatic experience 1 have never seen such a spontaneous demonstration of goodwill as greeted us in this city. Our stay hero has been all too short, but I have enjoyed every minute of it. As representative of my country I have attended many functions, large and small, but for warmth of welcome and sheer cordiality none has so impressed me as did to-night's civic At Home and a remarkable demonstration at a ball at which I afterward made a brief appearance. The combination of these i two receptions will re-echo throughout I Japan. It is a fine augury of the future : relationships between our two couni tries."