TRADE WITH CANADA

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1935, Page 5

TRADE WITH CANADA

STEADY EXPANSION NOTED. REVIEW BY HON. R. MASTERS. (By Telegraph—Special Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. The expansion of New Zealand’s export trade with Canada and the possibility of future development were referred to in an interview to-day by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. R. Masters. It was gratifying to note, said Mr. Masters, that, despite generally adverse conditions, the Dominion s trade with Canada had shown a further improvement during the past year. From £244,160 in 1932 the value of exports to Canada had risen to £697,865 in 1934, while import figures during the same period had increased from £1,007,178 to £1,677,764. In order of importance. New Zealand s main lines of produce exported to Canada were wool, sausage casings, hides, pelts and skins. Next in order, although a long way behind, were apples, butter, seeds, kauri gum, frozen meat and phormium fibre. “The value of our exports of wool to Canada has shown a remarkable increase in each of the past two years,” said Mr. Masters, “having increased from £81,925 in 1932 to £149,245 in 1933 and to £301,058 in 1934. Hides, pelts and skins have also shown an increase in 1933 and 1934 over the figures for 1932 and earlier years. In 1932 the value was £45,749 and in the preceding year it was less still, but in 1933 the volume of our exports expanded considerably and reached £196,562. Last year the value of exports was £153,764. “Proposed regulations governing the grading of hides and skins are at present under consideration and it is anticipated that if these are put into effect a further increase will be recorded in the export of these items to Canada. The value of sausage casings exported has steadily increased from £40,523 in 1932 to £129,129 in 1933 and £156,645 in 1934.” With butter, the Minister continued, the policy of the Canadian Government had been to develop the Canadian dairying industry to fill local requirements and the imposition of' restrictions and provisions of other kinds had effectually kept importations from New Zealand down to a low figure. Last year only 312 tons of butter had been sent to Canada from New Zealand. The Minister stated that the prospects for a greater export of apples to Canada were favourable. Exports of this class of fruit had been valued at £7583 in 1932, £13,358 in 1933 and £25,280 in 1934. Referring to export of frozen lamb to Canada, Mr. Masters said his department had been successful in inducing a certain firm to send a trial shipment and it was hoped that this would be the commencement of a valuable export trade in this commodity.