The Daily News THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1935. SEEKING TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1935, Page 4

The Daily News

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1935. SEEKING TRADE.

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While discussions about military disarmament remain academic there are indications that economic disarmament is nearer practical results. In Great Britain, where recovery of export trade during the past two years has been more satisfactory than in any other European country, a committee has been set up to review the existing “safeguarding duties” with a view to recasting the tariff where amendment may lead to reciprocity by other Governments. Agreements have already been made between Britain and certain Continental States, and negotiations with Italy have reached a working agreement that it is hoped may lead to a permanent settlement mutually satisfactory to both countries. New Zealand and Australia have made trade treaties with Belgium, South Africa has negotiated a “barter” arrangement with Germany, and the discussions in nearly every exporting country, including the United States, show the increasing restiveness of trading communities under the artificial barriers to the interflow of commerce which rampant nationalism has imposed. These barriers are not likely to be) swept away in a hurry, but every effort in that direction is to be welcomed. For this reason the proposal to appoint a New Zealand trade commissioner for the Continent of Europe is likely to meet with approval throughout the Dominion. It goes without saying that Great Britain must remain the principal market for New Zealand exporters. Whatever is possible for the retention of as large a share of that market as is practicable must be carried out with all determination. By the maintenance of high quality, by compliance with the desires and even the prejudices of the consumers in Britain, and by political negotiations it may be possible to retain and even to enlarge the Dominion’s existing share of the markets of the United Kingdom. But if that ideal is obtainable it is still desirable that fresh markets be sought in order that the productivity of the Dominion may continue to be developed. The Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. R. Masters, has emphasised the need for opening fresh avenues of commerce ever since he took overthat portfolio. A trade representative of New Zealand has already been appointed to work in Malaya and the East, and the appointment of another with headquarters in Western Europe is a step in the right direction. The officer chosen for the Eastern appointment was a civil servant, but however good his experience of administrative work may have been the fact remains that his acquaintance with commercial life was from the outside, a weakness he must rectify before he can render the full service" required. The areas to be covered are so vast as to. make the position onp that is difficult to fill, and the work entailed is certainly such as no can expect to undertake successfully until he has acquired a considerable amount of experience. It is to be hoped that when the appointment to Europe is made the need for an officer with actual commercial experience as well as other qualities will be recognised. New Zealand’s rivals are exercising the greatest care in the choice of their oversea representatives. Japan, for instance, in seeking greater trade with South America has sent representatives able to speak the language of the country with which Japan desires closer commercial relations as well as capable of learning at first hand the wishes of the consumers and the opportunities for introducing commodities at present unknown in that particular market. The representative it is proposed to send to Europe must have knowledge of the French, Dutch' and German languages. He will be required to make contact with commercial experts and to be able to convince them that the Dominion can offer them worthwhile service, and to do so he requires knowledge of the commercial rather than the official point of view where trading is concerned. With all the qualifications indicated the new representative can hardly be expected to cover the full field offering. His appointment must be regarded as the first step in a policy that has much to recommend it if it is properly carried out, and for this it is essential that the right type of representative be chosen.