TRADE RELATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24698, 29 August 1941, Page 6

TRADE RELATIONS

BRITAIN AND TURKEY CLOSER COLLABORATION (Rec. 8 p.m.) RUGBY, Aug. 27. Latest authoritative information about Anglo-Turkish trade indicates that Britain has definitely replaced Germany as Turkey’s most important trade partner. The Germans have been making stern efforts to further their trade with Turkey and by economic penetration to influence that country, as they did in I the, Balkans, but in this case they failed.' During the first year of the war Germany supplied Turkey with 10,300 tons of goods, representing by value 11.7 of Turkey’s total imports, whereas Britain sent 20,600 tons, by value 14 per cent. During the five months January to May, 1941, Germany sent 6800 tons, by value 14 per cent, of Turkey’s imports, while Britain sent 18,000 tons by value 21 per cent. '

The British Government is very much alive to the importance of furthering Anglo-Turkish trade and in spite of transport difficulties is steadily delivering goods; giving high priority in shipping and supply to Turkey’s essential requirements. Not only is Britain exporting goods —machinery, locomotives, war materials and general cargo—to Turkey, but she is also assisting with the shipment of essential goods, such as oil, from other parts of the world to meet Turkish requirements. Britain is also buying an everincreasing quantity of Turkish products—olive oil, mohair and oilseeds —including many articles which would be of great value to the enemy.

Anglo-American co-operation is also playing an increasing part in furthering Turkey’s trade collaboration with the democracies. All Turkey’s rubber and motor tyres now come from Allied or American sources, as well as her hides, petrol, tin, and copper sulphates. All Turkish chrome is now taken by the United States. Since the German attack on Russia Turkey’s oil from Rumania has been interrupted and the democracies have been responsible for supplying Turkish requirements. Much of this trade is carried on in Turkish ships, of which a good number continue to sail to Egypt in spite of Italian attempts to sink them.

Britain views with equanimity the continuance of certain exchanges between Turkey and Axis-occupied countries, as it would be uneconomic for Britain to supply certain goods essential for the maintenance of Turkish economy, which is the objective of British policy towards Turkey,