NEW ZEALAND TRADE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18900, 22 December 1923, Page 15

NEW ZEALAND TRADE

ENCOURAGING OUTLOOK. REPORT BY BRITISH COMMISSIONER. LONDON, Dec. 20. Sir. N. Elmslie, British Trade Commissioner for New Zealand, in a report on New Zealand trade, says: while the outlook is encouraging, it is still too early to speak confidently of future prospects, since some efforts of post-war inflation are not yet fully felt. The prosperity of the Dominion in the near future must depend on the world values of dairy produce, meat and wool. It is not safe to assume that values have yet been reduced to a sound economic level. Mr. Elmslie discusses whether land values in New Zealand are still too high, but points out that it is noteworthy that the highest prices at the recent land sales were paid by farmers of long experience and who know what land can produce with skilful management. The value of dairy land can be greatly increased, even at the present low prices for produce. The Dominiou is now buying approximately on the same scale as in 1914. British manufacturers can only obtain a further share of New Zealand trade by adapting the designs of their manufactures to suit New Zealand requirements, and organising selling methods to meet foreign competition on equal terms. The tariff preference given to British goods is so considerable, and the desire to trade within the Empire is so genu ine, that if British firms take the trouble to establish personal touch with the New Zealand market foreign goods can practically be excluded.