TRADE WITH THE EAST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16818, 22 August 1922, Page 8

TRADE WITH THE EAST.

A DDR ESS BY M R P, E. TEPPEMA. At last night’s meeting of the Exhibition Executive of the Industrial Corporation of New Zealand a short: address was delivered by Mr P. E. Teppema, Consul-General in Australia and Now Zealand for the Netherlands. Mr Teppema. emphasised the importance of developing the trade of New Zealand with the Dutch East Indies. The Dutch East Indies were in area seven times the size of New Zealand. Their trade aggregated between 280 and 300 million sterling in the year. The Dutch East Indies wanted t<? trade with New Zealand. He knew that preference to New Zealand manufacturers was an established policy, and that blood was thicker than, water, but even the British Empire could not economically supply New Zealand with everything it needed. Trade with the Ditch East Indies could be vastly increased, and it was going to be increased. His visit, he hoped, would be. the first step in that direction. He would emphasise the fact that the project would not interfere with New Zealand manufacturers. Such things as sugar, tea, coffee, and many Other foodstuffs could not be produced in New Zealand. The trade would be by no means a one sided affair, for the Indies with a popu lation of 50.000,000 natives needed many of tfie products of Western civili station. Australia and New Zealand could supply n?anv of these. Australia’s trade with Java amounted to £3,.500,000. New Zealand’s to £2OOO. There was a great field for butter, milk cheese, meat, honey and flour. Ther? were serious difficulties to be overcome in the lack of a regular direct steamship service. Four lines traded between Australia and the Dutch Indies. Surely New Zealand could arrange for a boat every two months.

Air R. C. Bishop said that the question of freightage seemed the most im port-ant one. Could the Australian steamship companies be persuaded to extend their lines to New Zealand? Mr .Tonkin said that, if manufactur ers were prepared to entertain the idea the shipping problem would be overcome without any great, difficulty. Mr H. Willis said that the difficulty which appeared most serious to him wa* that of arousing the enthusiasm of Nevr Zealand manufacturers for the possibili ties opened up bv the suggested trade Air H. R. Best said he hoped that a, party of New Zealand business men would take the opportunity of one ot the annual industrial fair* at Java :o make a trip to the Dutch Indies. Such a visit would undoubtedly be profitable and pleasant. \ Mr H. Holland said that it was im port ant that- New Zealand manufactur ers should know the right kind of good.to send. Tf a ready market for agricultural implements, for example, could b? guaranteed, some local firms which were employing about balf their maximum number of men could extend their operations considerably. Then there was the matter of shipping charges. Ho bad

been told that the freights between the islands wore excessive. Air Holland moved a motion expressing sympathy with the objects of Air Teppema’s mission and thanking him for his address. The motion was carried by acclamation.

Mr Teppema thanked the .members' for the kind reception they had given him- He mentioned incidentally that the freights between the islands were low in comparison to those between Australia and New Zealand