TRADE WITH THE EAST

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18584, 19 December 1934, Page 15

TRADE WITH THE EAST

‘ C ♦ ■*" MINISTER’S INQUIRIES GREAT POSSIBILITIES DIRECT SERVICE NEEDED : v I:.i' (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Opportunity was taken by the Hon. R. Masters during his visit to Australia to make close investigations in regard to the possbility of obtaining a direct shipping service front New Zealand to various Eastern countries. ■ ‘“lt'becomes’more and more obvious td me,” he said to-day, “that New Zealand must take 'early steps to extend our trade to those countries. The longer We delay, the more difficult it will become to obtain a footing, as our competitors are becoming more deeply entrenched, and it is a matter for regret we did not, make more determined efforts in this direction years ago. I “It is vital that New Zealand should have direct shipping to l Java, Malay States, Hoiigkong, Shanghai, Japan and the Philippines, with occasional calls at New Guinea-and Now Caledonia, if we are to develop worth while' markets foi* our produce,’ he said. • Australia, to a large extent,, dealt with the same class of goods as New Zealand, and with several lines of direct shipping at its service had a very defi-nite-ad vantage in that New Zealand' gdods had to be transhipped at Sydney. ITo found the shipping companies undoubtedly interested in the proposal fog direct shipping from New Zealand, and) was approached by their representatives and executives with suggestions as to, the most ’ satisfactory method of instituting a service. It was evident that several companies of various nations were keen to enter the trade. The discussions lie had' witli tho shipping companies would be continued in New Zealand, and be was hopeful of being able to submit to the Cabinet and the produce boards in the near future some-) thing of a definite nature for consideration.