STRONG CASE FOR N.Z. IN TRADE WITH EAST

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 22, 18 August 1932, Page 2

STRONG CASE FOR N.Z. IN TRADE WITH EAST

In November the British Cham. ber of Commerce at Hong Kong is to hold an exhibition of Australian products, and the Minis, ter of Industries and Commerce (Hon, R. Masters) has suggest. ed that New Zealand should make an effort to be represented in this display, says the Southland Times. If the Dominion is able to make arrangements for a show of New Zealand's products, it may be possible to stimulate trade in a market which this country does not seem to have attacked vigorously yet. The Hong Kong exhibition will make an appeal to the importers of China, and that vast country can take New Zealand's products in. larger quantities thai) she does at present. The fact that Australia sold China goods to the value of £3,. 342,988 in 1929, while New Zea. land's share of the trade amounted to only £17,625, shows that there is room for effort, and this view is confirmed by the figures for foodstuffs. In 1931 Hong Kong imported butter valued at £42,. 270, Australia supplying £36,760 worth, while New Zealand's share was only £2619. Of the cheese bought by Hong Kong last year, valued at £8290, Australian cheese accounted for £990 and New Zealand cheese for £224.

Hong Kong spent £48,700 in dried milk, buying £29,000 worth frcta Australia. The Commonwealth sent 518,6151 b of frozen beef and 379,0001 b of frozen mutton to this market, while New Zealand sent none.

Of the total imports into Hong Kong in 1931, amounting to £39,900,000, Australia's share was £340,000 and New Zealand's £14,165,, China in 1929 took Australian butter to the value of £41,028 and New Zealand butter amounted to £3767, while the total butter imports reached £109,000 in that year. Of course, the shipping services favour Australia; but the shipping will follow the trade, and if New Zealand can expand its business in the Far East there will be n dilli. i i!.l{j about bhippin;: Mr. Masiors has announced that as a reault <>l negotiations with the Osaka i-'hoseii Kai.dia, vessels o; fill; lino will call i'l Dong Konu and (orj Shanghai on i their out ward voyages piiivid-: (I I here is enough cargo offering. Mr. Maa.. ! tors also staled reci at)., tiiai, info,

| mat ion could be obtain d by New Zealand exporters through Urn hou. iurary agents at Shanghai and Tieiii,jyjn representing the Department. ».l \ lnthiKitics and Commerce, I hit more llian this nnisj Ik done, j Australia luts developed a good mari ket ii! the East and it is grow in;.;. ! but rNv.v '/,. aland has done almost I nothing iii comparison. Tin? trade lignrey are significant. China is a big trader. In I!''.'!' her total imports were valued at £ Ki!{,Bil,(/i)u and New Z( a. "land's quata was a mere 'J 17,<i:}f>. The j produce boards 'have considered tin : prospects of this field, and they have I made some effort Lo deal with the op--1 ;-..".rliin;i it.'S it p!'( seiita, but ihe ei'fori ; has not he.-a \ igoi miw in ] y has ii. I bet- n sustaiiu d lone i notigli to seem;. I results. j The [Joits.: Koug inhibition offers ■ chance for ;i Mew Zealand display | accompanied by a. posiiive effort ['• make known in llong Kong and in China the qualities- of New Zealand'; produce. The development of marketOther than Britain is of vital import, ance to this country, and the great field represented by the East should be prospected thoroughly, because in the future there will be a growing demand for the foodstuffs which the East cannot produce successfully. Results may not come quickly, but they will come if the effort. i s prolonged. Australia's principal advantage is in shipping facilities, but that advantage will diminish with the growth of New Zealand's trade. Mr. Masters has said that the produce boards should assist the Government in its efforts to secure better shipping facilities for the development of trade with the East. Undoubtedly they should, and vigorously, because the possibilities arc so great, and the primary producer of this country has so much to gain from an alternative market in which j there is so much room for expansion I