New Zealand & Canada

Hokitika Guardian, 10 January 1922, Page 4

New Zealand & Canada

TRADE PROSPECTS DISCUSSED. J [UI TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION | ' U’EUTjiINtjTON, [Jam. 7 I The, ,trade, .re- : lations be,tween, n,(id £iew.Z e n-.! land and other matters of interest to the sister Dominions were discussed by Mr Charles B. Jones, of-Victoria,"R.C.J in the course of an interview, -This id not the'first visituVlr ijones has-paid, to New /Zealand. On a recent opcasiqn lie toured the Dominion and he was so favourably impressed, that the came baplf again fj<> that he ; ppuld make a more thorough inspection. \Mr|Jones is quite satiflfiqd, that New,?e(ilnnd is pot sufficiently advertised i,n (Canada. “You should be proud of your, country,” ; lid said in effect, “but judging/fyum , th<? extent of your advertising one would think that you were ashamed of it.”

Mr Jones thinks that New Zealand ers should climb up on to the housetops and shout out to the world the glories of the country in which i they live. Americans and Canadians were looking for new ground—those who had money to spare for touring—and if they only knew what a delightful country New Zealand was, well, New Zealand would certainly get their patronage. .

On the subject of trade relations Mr Jones expressed the opinion that New "Zealand’s new tariff would greatly facilitate and encourage trade with Canada'. Before the wow tariff was announced, the British Columbia Chamber uf v Commerce, had urged the iP.quwiio.n Govo:nment to take steps to place Canada on the preference list. .Canada now gave preference to New Zealand products, such as butter and cheese, and refrigeiated space was available in the Union Steam Ship. Company’s ships as well as in the Government .Merchant Marine ships. One tiling was certain, Canada preferred to trade within the, Empire, and New Zealand should realise this to its own advantage. “But if it comes to a question of loyalty to the Empire,” said Mr Jones, “I am afraid Canada must give first place to New Zealand.” Mr Jones expressed surprise that New Zealand did not exploit to a much greater extent the Canadian market for butter and cheese. During the winter months—December, January, February and March—Canada imported a great deal of butler from the,United States, but bis experience led him to believe that the people would prefer the New Zealand article because of its superion quality. In fact, many Canadians pre-| f erred New Ze'aland butter to Canad-f iim, and the former often sold at a| higher price than the latter and tumid; willing.eager purchasers. On No vein-'; !-cr 18th lust Canadian butter was, quoted at .50 cents and Now Zealand' hiitlcr at 55 cents. Butter could bo produced for less in this country than i;; Canada, where stock bad t* be housed over the winter, and the New Zealand dairy farmer was able to compete with bis Canadian brother in spite of the duty, high freights and many distribution costs. Of course, in common with what had taken place all over the world, the price of butter in Canada had fallen considerably, but it was probable that the’ruling price today was one that would satisfy the New Zealand producers. Some information on that point might be of considerable value to local farmers.