TO EXPAND OUR TRADE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2309, 17 November 1914, Page 7

TO EXPAND OUR TRADE

SUGGESTION TO APPOINT COMMISSIONERS. At the instance of the Department of Agriculture, Industries and Commerce, inquiries have been made through the British Consular Service as to the prospects for trade with Central and South .America, which the opening of the Panama; Canal has made possible for New Zealand. '.The Department states that the Canal Zone requires regularly a number of lines which New Zealand could supply if freights and prices were right. •

In a letter to the New Zealand Department, His Majesty's Charge d'Affaires, Panama, states that there is a constant demand for, meat and dairy produce; and that the Supply Department of the Panama Canal Administration considers that if the 'contemplated steamship service is established competitive prices should enable New Zealand and Australian exporters to secure some or all of its'orders for meat and dairy produce. The Supply Department is willing to make annual contracts. There are 'no import duties on supplies for the Panama Canal, Apart from the requirements of the Canal, the demand in the Republio of Panama for New Zealand products would be insignificant for some time. Ships which leave Panama for South Paoific • ports have no cold-storage accommodation, and the scheme for transhipment at Panama is, therefore, . considered impracticable Some steamers passing through, the Canal might have cola storage accom-. modation, but even so similar accommodation ashore would have to be arranged for.

The Canal's Supply Department is asking for pricos of New Zealand produce, and, also, to ho put into touch with tlie proper Dominion authorities. When these facts were communicated to the Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce yesterday, Mr. A. Leigh Hunt said that the trade prospects would warrant the Government going in for a progressive policy and appointing trade commissioners in various American centres. Along the West Coast of South America there must be splendid openings for our dairy produce and for our fruit. The communities there wore wealthy, and appeared to be short of the goods which ho had mentioned.

Mr. Hunt moved that the Government should be nsked to appoint the trade commissioners in Canada, the United States, and South America. This motion wns carried.