TRADE WITH HAWAII

Otago Witness, Issue 3426, 11 November 1919, Page 42

TRADE WITH HAWAII

OPENINGS FOR NEW ZEALAND.

(Fbom Oue Own Corbespondent.)

AUCKLAND, November 6.

■ In an interview today Mr A. Moritzson stated that the importation of .New Zealand apples and pears into Hawaii had been prohibited for a number of years, as the result of the introduction into the islands of the fruit fly from New South Wales. Owing to his representations, the heads of the various departments of the Hawaiian Board of Agriculture had investigated the matter, and had satisfied themselves that there would be no danger of the fly being carried by- New Zealand fruit if it was shipped under certain conditions. The board consequently had decided to lift the embargo on the following conditions, which Mr Moritzson formulated: —That the fruit, which must be grown in New Zealand, be free from blight and shipped in cool storage, and accompanied by a certificate from a Government inspector that it will not come in contact with any Australian-grown fruit on board ship. The directors of the board also promised to lift the embargo on pears as soon as the importation of apples had proved satisfactory. Apples are not grown commercially in the Hawaiian Group, the climate being too hot, except on mountain slopes, and supplies are drawn from California, where the apple season lasts'from August to December or January. Mr Moritzson considers that New Zealand apples to the extent of 3000 cases every three weeks will find a ready market in Honolulu from February to August. While in Hawaii Mr Moritzson made inquiries in respect to reciprocity in trade between New Zealand and the group. He found that the only products which New Zealand could import from the group were canned pineapples, of 'which- there was a tremendous output, and coffee beans. On the other hand, Hawaii had a'market for the following New Zealand goods and products: —Pure wool, ladies' dress materials and underwear, men's light tweeds, woollen rugs, canned fruits, jams, and jellies (which are now imported from Tasmania in large quantities), parboiled fruits for jam-making, canned meats (including rabbits), frozen meat and rabbits, frozen and smoked fish, butter, cheese, bacon, ham, biscuits, potatoes, and onions. One company, he stated, was now importing 100,0001 bof beef monthly from Australia, the demand being caused purely by the garrison of 12,000 troops stationed at Honolulu. Recently tie American Government intimated that the strength of the garrison would be raised to 32,000, and this fact would greatly increase the market for frozen meat, which New Zealand should exploit- He felt quite sura that New Zealand goods would be welcome, many Honolulu merchants having expre'ssed to him their great satisfaction at the mako-up and quality of New Zealand wares imported before war conditions made this trade impossible.