JAPANESE TRADE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2924, 9 November 1916, Page 3

JAPANESE TRADE

COMPETITION IN LOCAL MARKETS I REAPING THE WAR PROFITS "Since the war commenced," says a cablegram from Sydney, "Japancso traders have been reaping a rich harvest. Importations to Australia have been steadily increasing, and the Christmas orders are exceptionally large, mostly representing trade formerly held by Germany and sorao American, lines." These remarks apply fairly well to New Zealand, though a Dominion reporter who made inquiries upon the subject yesterday gathered that the Jspaucso manufacturers are competing with British firms very keenly in this market. The goods that Japan is sending to New Zealand are for the most part goods that the United Kingdom could produce, or is actually producing, and the growth of imports from the Empire's Eastern Ally is not regarded in all quarters as a cause for congratulation. Japanese toys aro coming to New Zealand in large quantities in preparation for the Christmas trade. Formerly most of the toys came from Germany, and after the outbreak of war had cut off iho Empire's supplies from that quarter, British manufacturers extended their activities with the object of capturing as much of the trade "-as possible. They were assisted by the British Board of Trade, which collectc'd samples of the German lines and showed them at a trade exhibition in London. But the Japanese manufacturer of toys threatens to become quite as formidable a competitor as the German manufacturer used to be. Labour is very cheap in Japan, and houre of work are unlimited. The quality of the toys generally is fairly good, and the prices aro attractive. The British manufacturer admittedly produces a higher class of article, but it is doubtful if he can beat the Japanese in prices, even with the advantage of factory organisation. Many of the British toy factories at the present time are producing munitions.

The war has produced a very big expansion of Japanese trade, not merely with New Zealand and Australia, but with many other countries that are no longer able to import from the Central European Powers. The position may be illustrated by the following figures,, showing the value of exports from Japan during the first six months of 1916, as compared with the corresponding period of 1915: — January to June, inclusive. 1915. 1916. £ £ Buttons 158,000 345,400 Cotton yarns and goods 4,928,000 7,821,000 Paper and paper goods 265,700 585,800 Silk and silk goods 7,750,000 13,140,000 Toys 147,800 334,700 The total value of the manufactured goods (apart from munitions) exported from Japan during'the first six months of 1916 was roughly £46,500,000, as compared with £29,745,000 for the corresponding period of (aet year.