TRDE WITH CANADA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22675, 13 September 1935, Page 10

TRDE WITH CANADA

A 'SATISFACTORY EXPANSION PROSPECTS OF FURTHER DEVELOPMENT (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, September 12. The expansion of New Zealand's exEort trade with Canada and the possiility of further development in the future were commented on in an interview to-day by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr R. Masters. It was gratifying to note, said Mr Masters, that despite the generally adverse conditions the Dominion's trade with Canada had shown, a further improvement during the past year. From £244,160 in 1932 the value of the exports to Canada had risen to £697,865 in 1934, and the import figures during the same period had increased from £1,007,178. to £1,677,764. In order of importance New Zealand's main line of produce exported to Canada were wool, sausage casings, hides, pelts, and skins. Next in order, although a long way behind, were apples, butter, seeds, kauri gum, frozen meat, and phormium fibre. ' " The value of our exports of wool to ' Canada has shown a remaTkable increase in each of -the past two years," said Mr Masters, "having increased from £81,925 in 1932 to £149.245 in 1933 and to £301,058 in 1934. Hides, pelts, and skins have also shown an increase in 1933 and 1934 over the figures for 1932 and the earlier years. In 1932 the value recorded was £45,749, r,nd in the preceding years it was less still, but in 1933 the volume of our exports expanded considerably and reached the value of £196,562. Last year the value of our exports was £153,764. The proposed regulations governing the grading of hides and skins are at present under consideration, and it is anticipated that if these are put into effect a further increase will be recorded in the export of these items to Canada. The value of sausage casings exported has steadily increased from £40,523 in 1932 to £129,129 in 1933 and £156,645 in 1934." So far as butter was concerned, the Minister continued, the policy of thp Canadian Government had been to develop the Canadian dairying industry in order to fill local requirements, and the imposition of restrictions and provisions of other kinds had effectually kept importations from New Zealand down to a* low figure. Last year only 312 tons of butter had been sent to Canada from New Zealand

The Minister stated that the prospects for a greater export of apples to Canada were favourable. The' exports of this class of fruit had been valued at £7583 in 1032, £13,358 iu 1933, and £25,280 in 1934. •

Concerning the export of frozen lamb to Canada Mr Masters said his department had been successful in inducing n certain firm to send a trial shipment, and it was hoped that this would be the commencement of a valuable export trade in this commodity with Canada.