TRADE WITH CHINA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22568, 11 May 1935, Page 6

TRADE WITH CHINA

POSSIBLE MARKET FOR WHEAT OPINION OF RETURNED MISSIONARY., That there was a possibility of development in the trade between New Zealand and China was a suggestion made by Mr Samuel Glanvillc, who for 30 years has been a missionary in China, in an interview in Christchurch. Mr Glanvillc instanced the progress made by a New Zealand firm, the Southern Cross Company, which has lately opened an agency in Shanghai for the marketing of New Zealand products. This firm, ho said, was finding a ready market for tinned milk, butter, and cheese. Portnightly shipments were being sent from Auckland, the route being by way of Honolulu to avoid deterioration causei by the intense heat on the usual route. The wise course had been followed of sending the butter ready packed, instead of in bulk. Mr Glanville thinks that New Zealand wheat might find a market in Northern China. Rice was not grown in the northern territory, he said, and bread was the staple food. It was to be noted that the duty on flour was higher than that on the whole grain. CHINA TO-DAY. Mr Glanville said that economically China was not in a very happy position. Everything militated against prosperous trading. The Government was weak, certain areas were over-run by brigands, and in some parts there was the threat of Communism. Brigandage made farming n precarious occupation, and people were naturally unwilling to take it up. In addition floods and drought had done their share to injure trade. The high Customs tariff imposed by the National Government made the price of imported goods abnormally high, in accord with the Government's policy of hindering foreign trade. Although lawlessness prevailed in many parts of China, great progress had been made in opening up the country by new highways. Places formerly isolated were now within a few days' journey of central cities. A few years ago it had taken months, by Chinese methods of travel, to reach such places. Motor buses were now in general use, there being as, many as 200 at one central point of departure. A route across the Gobi Desert into Chinese Eastern Turkestan was also projected. If this were carried out, the prolific resources of Central Asia would'be made accessible. Railway construction had been almost completely stopped since the founding of the republic, but of late it had begun again. With these improvements in communication, China needed only peace to ensure her becoming a great and prosperous country.