TRADE WITH TONGA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 196, 8 May 1918, Page 5

TRADE WITH TONGA

AUSTRALIA "PREFERRED TO "NEW ZEALAND. Sydney, May 7. Tho Premier of Tonga, who is visiting Sydney, in an interview, eald thai New Zealand had taken the trade of Tongu from Australia, but Tonga preferred to Irade with tho Commonwealth. Although lie made no announcement, he gave the impression lhat the object of his visit was to secure Commonwealth aid in thfl revival of Irade between Tonga and Australia.

Tho Premier said it was partly owing to the proximity of New Zealand and. partly to rlio laxity or indifference of Australia .that Now Zealand had been able to secure Tongan trade. The indifference of Australia had forced tho Tongan Government to subsidise the Union Steam Ship Company by granting it a freo harbour, pilotage, and wharfage to the extent of JClflOO pet _ annum. I Tonga's preference for trade ivith Ann- ; tralia was duo to the fact that there was I no means in New Zealand of lnanufacturj ing oil from the copra, which, ia Tonga's I largest export, whereas such moans for ijthe manufacture of oil existed In Auk- | trnlin. Lnst year Tonga was forced to send 7000 tons of copra to America, (his year he anticipates that 15,000. tons would go there. These facts spoke for themselves. Tie asked, "Why doos Australia ignore us? AVe would rather trade witli her than with any other country/'-Prees Assn.