TRADE WITH ISLANDS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11296, 23 August 1922, Page 3

TRADE WITH ISLANDS

“ A CREAT OPPORTUNITY " MORE ENTERPRISE NECESSARY TO SECURE ADVANTAGE. REPORT TO CHAMBER. At tho mooting of tho Wellington Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon, Air W. F. Cuthbertson presiding. Mr H. H. Oxley presented a report upon the possibilities of future finding in the Pacific Islands, especially those- nearer to New Zealand than Australia, particularly Samoa.

SCO MILES NEARER NEW ZEALAND. In the courso of his report, Mr Oxley 6aid that tho Samoan Islands offered more opportunities for successful trading not. only because they are quite 800 mue s ? nearer to New Zealand than Australia, but on account of the principal islands being under the control of the New Zealand Government. The main island, Upolu, is rich and fertilo with an area of about GOO square miles, fiat, undulating and mountainous. On the northern gido of tho island is the harbour and town of Apia. This is the centre of comnercial life in Samoa. Here aro erected large stores stocked with supplies, not only for Apia, but for numerous trading stations situated all round the group. ANXIOUS TO TRADE.

He found the traders anxious and willing to trade with New Zealand merchants, but through lock of enterprise, etc., on their part tho Australian mcichants now do most of the trade. Only one out of cn average of five travellers in the islands came from New Zealand. was absolutely necessary first for New Zealand merchants to know the srecial requirements of the traders in all lines; then they must understand the system the tracUrs have in invoicing, declaration, packing, etc. Traders repeatedly complained of the way they received New Zealand goods compared to Australian. In 1921 the boots imported into Samoa were From New Zealand, £57; Australia., £2029; other countries, £1370; compared with £l6, £1732 and £I2OO respectively in 1918. Jn. 1918 they imported £82,000 from New Zealand and £300,C00 from Australia, and' the speaker gave the import figures in relation to drapery, confectionery, timber, hardware, leather goods, etc., showing that Australia, and other countries were doing an extensive trade with the islands, a much larger proportion of which might oome to the Dominion.

DIRECT SHIPPING WANTED. Direct shipping to Wellington as a central New Zealand port is required, but even with the present service to Auckland much could be done if merchants and manufacturers could be made to realise the great possibilities there are in Samoa aflone. The agricultural and industrial possibilities of Samoa are great, to say the least, particularly if a direct boat to Wellington was arranged for and everything put on up-to-date commercial lines. Fruit and other lines could be landed in Wellington in seven days (distance about 2009 miles) and part discharged in Wellington and part in Lyttelton. In addition to the trading possibilities to New Zealand merchants and manufacturers in Samoa, there are great opportunities for trade in Tonga and Fiji. . AN ISLAND STEAMER.

The Tongan group, of which there are three main islands, have good stores at Nukualofa, Haapai and Vayaau, with numerous trading stations around the group. Tho Tonga Government is progressive and they are most anxious to find a market for their produce, particularly in New Zealand, as they are only 1100 miles from New Zealand. GOO miles nearer than Samoa. They proposed to form a company to purchase a steamer to run to New Zealand and Australia from Tonga ports and thus increase her export trade and facilitate more regular deliveries of her imports. In 1919 Tonga exported £443,000 and imported £184,500. BUSINESS AT FIJI.

Tho Fiji Islands, situated 1200 miles north of New Zealand, and 1800 miles north-cast of Sydney, were capable of much development in every way, and should have more intense white population.

In 3919 imports totalled £1,060,314, of which New Zealand's share was £151,602 and Australia's £336,348. Australia is 600 niles further away than New Zealand, end at present they had a better service to New Zealand, yet merchants and manufacturers were not alive to the great possibilities of trade in Fiji alone. He urged them to go and see for themselves what great opportunities they had lying throughout the islands at a not much greater distance than Dunedin is from Auckland, and which, was quicker to Teach. SU3IMARY OF IMPORTS.

In Samoa the total imports in 191 S were £382,000, of which New Zealand only had £82,000; Tonga. 1919, £184,500, New Zealand a very small proportion; Fiji, 1918, £1,060,314, of which New Zealand hod £151,662.

There were vast possibilities, particularly in Samoa for investors, which would afford them safe and very profitable investments.

Tho potential wealth is very great, and the fringe only of the agricultural and industrial potentialities had been touched, and there were great tracts of land and bush (suitablo for paper making) lying waste waiting for proper up-to-date methods. First, they could put it on to a fixm financial bceis, then introduce machinery and ways and means for development. GOVERNMENT SHOULD HELP.

At the end of the report the chairman said that the opinion among6t merchants and manufacturers was that the Government should help them to get in touch with the islands. After an interview with the Minister for External Affairs he realised it was impossible for the Government to do anything just now, so that tho only thing would be to ?et information from the External Afairs Department and then'go and see the possibilities for themselves. Tie would like to see a sub-committee formed to go into the question. Thonks were accorded to Mr Oxley for his report, and it was decided to forward a copy of it to other Chambers of -Commerce.