ISLAND TRADE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 32, 1 November 1919, Page 6

ISLAND TRADE

DOMINION LOSING GROUND

A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

Sir Joseph Ward suggested in (he House of Jioprcseniatives yesterday (hat the Government should appoint a commission (o visit (.'lie Cook Islands and inquire into the loss of trade between New Zealand and Hie group. 110 raid that the Dominion's trade with I he Cook Islands was decreasing, while America's share of ihe trade of the group w/ls growing. lie did not think that thO trouble was due lo isck of steamer communication, since the ships that were taking tiie trade of tho Cook Islands to the United States touched at -New Zealand ports. Mr. Ifassey remarked lliat. the cause of the diversion of Hie trade was lo be found in the shipping arrangements.

Sir Joseph Ward said there were some other reasons, lie had received some communications on the subject. The state of affairs wa,s regrettable, and night, to receive Hie attention of tho Government.

The I'riuio Minister said thai iho ma liter had been before Cabinet tiro or three weeks ago. Cabinet had derided to send a commissioner or perhaps two commissioners to the Cook Islands to ascertain why the. trade with New Zealand was decreasing. Suitable appointments would be made as soon as Cabin"!: had time, lo ileal further wilh the mailer., There was no doubt thai New Zealand was 10-i----itig trade wilh the Islands, and that, the United Slates was becoming a very "prious eonmetilor. not only in tho Cook Mauds, but also in Samoa., One reason might lie found in Iho fact that copra, tho chief article of export from the Islands, was bouglhl: by the American*, bul was not required in New Zealand except for re-export. Tie believed that trade between the Dominion and the Islands under its control could be stimulated.