TRADE WITH CANADA.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1081, 21 March 1911, Page 8

TRADE WITH CANADA.

— 1 SUGGESTED APPOINTMENT OF A COMMISSIONER. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondents Auckland, March 20. The possibilities of a large and lucrative trade between New Zealand and the western coast of Canada have moro than once been discussed at representative gatherings of business men in this country, but so far no concerted action has been taken in this direction by the local authorities concerned. Absence of information in regard to tho scope of tho Canadian market seems the principal reason for a state of affairs that, it is contended, points to the necessity for a New Zealand trade commissioner in the greater Dominion. A number of Auckland merchants who were approached on Saturday and questioned on this subject agreed entirely with the suggestion. The vigorous policy of the Canadian authorities in developing their trade was alluded to. and also the remarkable position that while Canada, with 8,000,0(1(1 of a population, has a trade commissioner in N\-r,-Zealand, with 1,000,000, the latter country has so far not seen fit lo reciprocate. Not content with a mere hazy idea of the possibilities of Canadian trade, two or three of the leading business men have gone into the questiou thoroughly in all its aspects, and tho result was a confirmation of their previous opinion. Shortly the Vancouver mail steamers are to commence calling at Auckland, and as New Zealand has privileges in tho matter of space, merchants are of opinion that action in tho matter cannot be taken too soon. "Rosy as tho prospects may seem,", said one merchant, "we want to have first hand information, and that can only bo properly gained by the appointment of a New Zealand trade commissioner in Canada. 'Without trade commissioners to push our products forward' in other countries, prices must inevitably be unsatisfactory when comparisons are made. Canada it seems certain would furnish a ready market for many of our products, such as butter and frozen meat, perhaps for flax and even for kauri gum.'