THE COMING MARKETS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2015, 24 March 1914, Page 6

THE COMING MARKETS.

IN UNITED STATES. COMMISSIONERS NOW HERE. Tho loworing of "the American tariff wall against various articles of foreign production, notably wool, mutton and butter, has-no doubt been principally regarded so far in this country as opening up a '-cry extensive market. This, however, is only ono sido of the question. The opening of tho markets of the United States to foreign producers has inspired American manufacturers with the hope of finding new avenues of outward commerce and new markets for tho articles which they produce. In a word they hope to see-, extensive reciprocal traclo arrangements established on the basis afforded by the new tariff scale. The dcvolopme'ut of ;£ossibilities of this nature is the business of the American Trade Commission, which arrived in Wellington on Saturday. It consists of Messrs. D. M. Parry J. Kirby, and Dr. A. A. Snowden. They represent tho National Association of Manufacturers of the United States, whose members employ over five million workers and operate capital amounting in the aggregate to over two thousand millions sterling. Mr. Parry was president of the association from 1009 to 1913, and Mr. Kirby occupied the same position from 1902 to 1906. Dr. Snowden is the industrial expert of the association. The party js on a tour of the wosld, and_ is. spending three or four months in investigating commercial and industrial conditions in Australia and New Zealand.

An Onen Market. The members of the Commission were interviewed by a Dominion reporter and supplied ; some interesting facts regarding their mission and its objects. They were emphatic in stating that America offered a very big and valuable market for tho disposal of New . Zealand . staple products. Wool, meat; and butter now enter tho United States free, so that the facilities for trade expansion aro obviously great. "It scorns to us," one of the commissioners remarked, "that there ought to bo a good deal of trade between New" Zealand and the States, and of course it ought to he on a reciprocal basis.: Wo have a tremendous market to, offer for New Zealand produce, and your producers have a clear road into it, but if tin's country wants to obtain and retain a permanent hold on that market, the trade will have to be "on a reciprocal basis. America having lowered her_ tariff in favour of certain commodities produced abroad, will naturally look for something in the-na-ture of corresponding concessions' from the countries which supply thes'e commodities That may entail some adjustment of duties, just as a number of foreign countries have in. tho past accorded England '/"most favoured nation" treatment, in consideration of her open markets, "The American manufacturer," he added, "would expect to place more of his goods than formerly in the countries profiting by tho tariff reductions, and this desire on his part was bound to be a big operating factor hi the new situation created.

The Commissioners have no doubt that the prospect of a foothold in a Pacific market will appeal to Australia and New Zealand, and they added that tho market would certainly, not cTninish in importanco.as time went on. Net so long ago tho United States exported meat,, but now, with a population of a hundred millions, it is once rnd for all in the position of having to import meat* and other supplies from ahead, to supplement local product ; on. Another point made was that the Gp-3j;ing of the Panama Canal, now in early prospect, might bring New Zealand and Australia within striking ' distance of tho markets on tho Atlantic seaboard of the United States. ' '' ;

"Direct Trade. The Commissioners declared themselves strongly of opinion that New Zealand would be well-advised to send trade representatives to tho United States to spy out tho land, and so advise producers in this country that they would be enabled to adjust supplies to the demand. They stated in this connection that a movement was afoot to cut out "intermediate" countries in international ' commerce analogous to the efforts that are being made m various countries to cut out the "middleman" in local oommerce. The development of direct international trading was exampled in a step recently taken by the Russian Government, which was unique in diplomatic history. Learning that Russian" shipments to America were going largely through Germany, thus involving extra expense, the Russian Government determined to promote direct trade. The National Association of Manufacturers was anpointed the American representative of the Russian Government, and last autumn the "Russian branch" was formally opened. Tho association and the Russian Government now exchange information regarding the goods needed or nvajlable for export in each country with advantage_ to both nations. At present a proportion of the wool from Australasia which is consumed in America goes via England, and the commissioners consider that the trade might bo conducted direct , with great advantage to'both producers and consumers.

Tho commissioners stated themselves very well satisfied with, the progress and results),of their mission in Australasia so far as it has gone. As yet they have spent only ten days in the Commonwealth, but they will make a more extended visit after conculding their tour of New Zealand. They wore cordially 'received by the different Australian Governments with which' they came_ in touch, us well as by clubs, associations of merchants, and similar bodies. They were granted free passes on tho railways, and hop? to make more interesting' tours into the remote parts of the Commonwealth on their return.

Some Possibilities. The party will spend about a- week in Wellington, and wliilo here will got into touch witli the Government,- tho Chamber of Commerce, acd other authorities. All the Commissioners unite in stating themselves well pleased with what "they have seen of Now Zealand. Mr. Kirby assorted that ho had detected here the note of "hustle" with which ho is familiar in- America, and that our cities reminded him strongly of soine in his native country. The-only thing to deplore, Dr. Sriowden remarked, was that Americans did not know more about this country. Ho predicted that one effect of the opening of tho Panama Canal would be to deflect a portion of tho tourist traffic which now makes from America to Europe to Australia and New Zealand. Four hundred thousand people go from America to Europe every year, he remarked, and tho value of this enormous tourist traffic was between. £200,000,000 and £2130,000,000. Dr. Snowden is of opinion that before long steamers from tho Pacific Coast of America will Iμ covering the distance to Australia- in ten or twelve days. The Ventura, in which the party travelled, broke tho record with a trip of nineteen days, arid could oasily have bettered that time by a day. Dr. Snowden considers it not ipipossiblo also that a number of American emigrants may seek new homes in Australia'and Now Zoal»ml. Tho modern development of the United States is rapidly closing out the pioneer farmer, and many men of this type have elected to go abroad. Canada, as is well known, has gained a considerable accession of population from tho United States, and tho members of tho Commission are of opinion that a portion of the stream of emigration will tun; south as thn possibilities of Australia and New Zealand become better known.