9

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Fiji. The latest figures available are for 1923, and in that year 41 per cent, of the total trade of Fiji was done with New Zealand. This market, like the Samoan market, is one that requires the close attention of New Zealand manufacturers and merchants. There is direct shipping, as is indicated by the fact that New Zealand takes anything from 75 per cent, to 80 per cent, of the exports of Fiji, chiefly sugar and tropical fruits. The shipping facilities, therefore, for return cargo are available at regular intervals. The following goods supplied by Australia could, in large measure, be conveniently and competitively supplied by New Zealand. It should be noted that trade in these goods amounts to £110,000 from Australia and only £12,000 from New Zealand. Australia. New Zealand. £ £ Biscuits .. .. .. .. .. .. 10,000 84 Boots and shoes .. .. .. .. .. 3,500 600 Brushware .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,000 180 Candles .. .. .. .. .. .. 140 30 Cement (United Kingdom £6.000) .. .. .. 700 365 Coal .. .. .. .. .. .. 36,000 13 Confectionery .. .. .. .. .. 2,300 2,000 Cordage and ropes .. .. .. .. 5,000 700 Fruit, fresh .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,300 400 Fruit, preserved .. .. .. .. ..2,700 260 Furniture .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,500 80 Jams .. .. .. .. .. 2,400 60 Leatherware .. .. .. .. .. 6,200 600 Agricultural machinery (United States of America £10,000} 7,000 250 Manures .. .. .. .. .. .. 18,000 2,600 Matches .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,160 20 Milk, condensed .. .. .. .. .. 3,200 2,200 Oatmeal .. .. .. .. .. .. 300 180 Linseed-oil .. .. .. .. .. .. 300 40 Pickles .. .. .. .. .. 700 70 Soaps .. .. .. .. .. 3,400 1,030 Tar .. .. .. .. .. .. 850 100 Twine .. .. .. .. .. .. 960 80 Vinegar .. .. .. .. .. .. 270 20 Totals .. .. .. .. £109,820 £11,962 Java and the East. The Department has persisted in its efforts to interest exporters and manufacturers in the possibilities of trade with Java. The difficulties experienced in engendering practica 1 interest in the proposal are very great, mainly due to the apathy shown in the setting-up of local organizations to examine the facts and provide the funds to exploit this market thoroughly. The Department has shown its willingness on all occasions to co-operate with and advise any firm or organization as to the trade possibilities. A private company with headquarters at Auckland has been formed to develop trade relations between New Zealand and Java. This company provides a definite New Zealand organization with expert officers through which primary producers and manufacturers may export their produce to the East. The company is favourably situated to import all Eastern products into New Zealand. A tour of the main centres to interview possible exporters has been undertaken, and an earnest endeavour made to arrange for preliminary consignments to try out the Javan market. In conjunction with the industrialists of New Zealand, an effort will also be made to have a New Zealand stand at the next Sourabaya Fair to be held at the latter part of this year. During the year the Department has made several appointments of honorary trade representatives. Mr. H. C. Tennent is now acting on the Dominion's behalf at Honolulu, Hawaii; the British Chamber of Commerce at Marseilles, France ; and Mr. B. R. Avery at Johannesburg. Trade representatives are also acting in Belgium (Antwerp), India (Calcutta), and South Africa (Durban). The paid officers of the Government, Messrs. W. A. James at Vancouver and H. Stephenson Smith at San Francisco, continue to supply the Department with valuable information concerning trade matters in respect of the countries they represent, whilst Messrs. H. J. Manson (Melbourne) and W. R. Blow (Sydney) are in constant to Commonwealth trade and industries. COMMERCIAL TRUSTS ACT. During the year the Attorney-General took action under the Commercial Trusts Act, 1910, against a number of firms engaged in the production and distribution of flour. This action involved the Department in a great deal of work in the preparation and presentation of the case for the' Crown. The case was heard in Dunedin'in November,|l924. The hearing occupied ten days, during which over thirty witnesses appeared for the Crown a.nd twelve for the defence. Considerable public interest was manifested throughout the hearing. The case for the Crown was conducted by Mr. F. B. Adams,

2—H. 44.