TRADE WITH JAPAN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, 17 July 1930, Page 5

TRADE WITH JAPAN

DIRECT SHIPPING SERVICE TO NEW ZEALAND. RECEIVING CONSIDERATION. Further development in the Dominion's export trade is promised in a recent announcement that the Osaka Shosen Kaisha shipping line, of Japan, is seriously considering the establishment of a regular service between | Melbourne and New Zealand. This would be an extension in the existing service between Japan and Eastern Australian ports. Information to this effect is contained in a letter received by the secretary of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Dr E. P. Neale, from Mr L. J. Schmitt, New Zealand Government representative in Sydney. The question of the MelbourneAuckland cargo services, pointing out the existing irregularities, "was touched upon in a recent letter to Mr Schmitt from the Chamber of Commerce. It asked that the question be taken up with Melbourne merchants and that their feelings toward it be ascertained, j The letter also stated that the chamber | had received word from the Union Steam Ship Company, which indicated that the onus was on the Auckland merchants to show that regular timetable sailings on this route would be remunerative, while the opinion was expressed by the company that as long as Australia continued to be hostile toward New Zealand produce, it was unlikely that regular sailings would be warranted between Auckland and Melbourne. According to Mr Schmitt’s letter the proposed service would be from Melbourne to the chief New Zealand ports. Auckland being the final port of call, from whence the steamers would leave for Sydney. Although this was not exactly what was desired by Auckland merchants, it would create a certain regular service which might tend toward the improvement of other services. Saving to Importers.

“The possibilities of the suggested service lie in the fact that we shall be able to have direct contact with Japan on our export side,’’ said Mr W. A. Boucher, managing director of Spedding, Limited, and a member of the importers’ committee of the Chamber of Commerce. In the past, New Zealand had been practically shut out of the export trade with Japan owing to the prohibitive freight charges. Some time ago inquiries were received from Japan for various by-products of meat works, dried and condensed milk, and tinned meat, but as it could not be hoped to be competitive in price, it was not possible to open negotiations. “Whether these articles are still saleable in Japan I do not know, but I am almost sure they are,” said Mr Boucher. “From the importers' point of view, if shipments could be obtained, there would naturally be a great saving, as it is anticipated that freights would be lower than at present when goods are transhipped at Sydney.”