A WARNING.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1921, Page 2

A WARNING.

TO BRITISH EXPORTERS. AUSTRALIAN' AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, October 17 The New 'Zealand British Trade Commissioner reports that there have beeen severe criticisms by New Zealand buyers regarding tho treatment which they have received from the British firms since the Armistice. Traders with a ready market found it difficult, and almost impossible, to secure deliveries. They felt that the Briti»h sellers were favouring the buyers near at hand, and even giving them the goods that were intended to fill New Zealand 1 orders. Yet when the demand from cither markets ceased, the British firms immediately unloaded on New Zealand goods in completion of orders which, in some cases, had bo«n given years liefore. It is even said that the firms in the United Kingdom waited until the prices reached their peak before delivering the goods to New Zealand, and they did not even report the fact that shipment was being made till the goods were on the water. The Commissioner adds: “It is important that the United Kingdom should understand the feeling in New .Zealand, whether it Ife justified or not;.’’ After careful examination of the complaints, he is satisfied that there is a small percentage of cases where the feeling is fully justified, but says, that in a great majority of cast's it would not lie justified. In practically all the cases, he claims, the trouble was due to a laxity in consequence of the previous abnormal ’ conditons.

He adds: It is essental that while the present feeling in New Zealand exists, the British firms should endeavour to clear themselves of the suspicions and to deal leniently with the embarrassed trailers in New Zealand, who in many eases are now disgruntled Above all, it is necessary to get back to probity and to the regularity of pre-war trade.