TRADE WITH CZECHOSLOVAKIA.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16854, 7 June 1920, Page 7

TRADE WITH CZECHOSLOVAKIA.

PROSPECTS POR NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA. (By Cable—Press Association' —Ccpjawlit.) (Australian and I\~.Z. Cable Association.) PRAGUE.. June 4. The Australian Press Association interviewed M. Hotowetz, Minister or Commerce, regarding the prospects for direct trading arrangements with. Australia find Now Zealand. M. Hotowetz welcomed the idea, and said that Czeeho-Slovakia needed raw materials in order to re-establish her industries. The problem was one or financ-e. It would be necessary to obtain credits or make special arrangements, because the exchange was so seriously against Czecho-S'ovakia. The countrv had already secured nine months' credits from the United Sttaes, from which it was importing cotton direct, which was formerly purchased throiin-li London &nd Liverpool. 'The Ilenubiic," he said, "looks hopefully to Great Britain, inasmuch as Great Britain was the first Power to officially recognise Czecho-Slovakia's national rights, resulting in independence." Ho said he would be glad to think it possible to develoo friendly relations with the British Dominions also. M. Holowetz continued: "Heretofore we have purchased Australian and New Z. aland wool in the English market, but we have difficulty in obtaining the required quantities now, except on a system of credits. "We would willingly negotiate with a view to ascertaining whether it is possible to establish practical trading arrangements with Australia and New Zealand to our mutual advantage. "In Czeeho-Slovakia, labour is cheaper than in Great Britain. We would supply manufactured textiles, glassware, porcelain, and paper in payment." M. Hotowetz suggests that Australian and New Zen land producers should test the practicability of the scheme by sending small sample quantities of raw materials to responsible Cze°ho Slovakian manufacturers, thus enabling them to investigate the results.