TRADE WITH THE EAST

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXVI, Issue 7906, 24 September 1929, Page 3

TRADE WITH THE EAST

teeming millions to be CATERED FOR \ NEW ZEALAND’S CHANCE “There are teeming millions in the ] East who are gradually acquiring ( the habit of using our staple products,” said the chairman, Mr E. Salmond, at a meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, when 1 explaining to members what steps a special committee of the chamber . was taking to investigate the possi- . bility of New Zealand trade with Eastern Asia. “From the latest statistics available from Australia,” Mr Salmond explained, “I And that for the year ended June 30, 1927, that country did a total trade of £17,000,000 with the East. Of that total something like £5,000,000 was done in products such as wheat and flour, which New Zealand is not in a position to supply, but the balance, roughly £12,000,000, represented trade in wool, butter and meat. It is, of course, apparent that this Dominion cannot expect to compete with Australia for this trade, which in a few years’ time will expand to a very great extent, unless we have the means of direct trade with the East. “The Prime Minister recognises that fact, and has already stated that he will consider the question of subsidising a service between New Zealand and the East. Another great hurdle is that Australian exporters are well entrenched. “Under the circumstances the special committee has decided it would be wise before making any icpresentations to the Government on the question, to delve more deeply into the subject. For that purpose a very strong special committee has been appointed and will go most closely into the possibilities of the i trade. These inquiries will pro- ■ bably take some little time, but if ’ the considered joint opinion is that : New Zealand can secure a reasonable . share of the Eastern trade we will • then be entirely justified in urging I the Government to subsidise a ship--1 ping service in its inception and until the trade becomes stabilised."