THE WEST INDIES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19801, 17 May 1934, Page 6

THE WEST INDIES

A TRADE BULLETIN OPENING FOR DOMINION PRODUCTS By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON. May 16. Prospects for the development of markets for New Zealand products in the British West Indies are discussed in a bulletin prepared by the Department of Industries and Commerce and released by the Minister (Hon. R. Masters. M.L.C.). The bulletin has been compiled from a report by the New Zealand* Trade and Tourist Commissioner in Canada, Mr J. W. Collins. In an accompanying statement the Minister announces that only that day he had received information that the Legislature of Jamaica was very desirous of extending two-way trade between New Zealand and that country. In 1932 imports into Jamaica were valued at £4,754,152. and goods sent there by New Zealand that year were valued at £ls. It was pleasing, however. to note that during the nine months ended September 30. 1933, New Zealand had exported butter to Jamaica to the value of £22.495 and cheese to the value of £394. Although the trade for butter and cheese might be more or less limited, there were possibilities for trade in other byproducts of milk. For instance 4.500.0001 b. of condensed milk went to Jamaica in the mine months ended September 30 last, and of that quantity New Zealand only sent 3341 b. In addition to that there was an opening in other products such as fruit, meat, powdered milk and so forth. He was hopeful, that as a result of the publication of the bulletin that not only primary producing organisations but secondary industries would take full advantage of the information given them and set about doing their utmost to open up commerce with Jamaica. Market for Most Products. After giving information in detail, the bulletin stated that in the West Indies trade was invariably conducted by British houses of high integrity. New Zealand packs required little or no variation. The currency was British and the regulations governing imports were simple and given regular steamer calls, trade with Jamaica should not merely expand but become stablised as the years pass by. New Zealand had gained great goodwill from the limited trade already done, and it ~*as undoubted that keenness existed among merchants and retailers to have closer connection with New Zealand exporters. There was no hesitation in stating that the whole question of trade with Jamaica depended largely upon the continuance of that goodwill. Trade must, in short, be reciprocal. Due emphasis had been paid to the point that our trade may flow in narrow channels, but in the brief time available it was demonstrated that almost every product we exported in quantity would find some reception in Jamaica. Butter and cheese offered the most likely stable trade, but the possibilities of marketing heavy - weight mutton should not be ignored. In spite of the threatened imposition of increased duties on fresh meat (frozen) the comparative low prices at which mutton could be produced in New Zealand should ensure a substantial demand, while first or second quality lamb would find immediate favour with the European section.