OPENING FOR TRADE.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 May 1922, Page 1

OPENING FOR TRADE.

WITH HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. IMPORTANT SUGGESTIONS. WELLINGTON, May 11 Valuable information on the possibilities of trade between New Zealand and the Hawaiian Islands is contained in a statement made to a “Times” reporter by Mr Adolph Moritzon, who is making a brief stay in Wellington prior to leaving the Dominion for England.

Air Movitzson landed in Dunedin in 187 J, and carried on business as a grain, wool, hides, seeds, and produce merchant and auctioneer. He retired from business three years age, since when lie lias resided, in Honolulu,

Hawaii, although he had previously visited the islands.

REPORTED TO PRIME MINISTER. He spent five months in investigating the trade conditions, anil reported the results to the Prime Minister with a view to New Zealand opening up trade with the Hawaiian Islands, or the Sandwich Islands as they used to be known. The islands were discovered in 1778, by Captain Cook, who was murdered oil his second visit to Kila lCckua Bay, a district noted for its coffee and tobacco. After Mr Moritzson had presented his report in person he returned to Honolulu to give effect to his inquiries, as bo considered that the surest way to establish trade relations with New Zealand.

A great many difficulties had to he overcome. Owing to the fact that the Union Steam Ship Company, Ltd., drew a Canadian subsidy it bad to give Canadian importers all the cold storage space available, but at the expiration of the contract, two years ago, it became possible to spare a few hundred tons of space for Honolulu requirements. AUSTRALIA A MISNOMER.

This service lias been known as the Canadiau-Australasiaii Royal Mail Line, but Mr Moritzson bolds that it should Ik l called the Canadian-New Zealand Line, and that Australasia is a misnomer. It is 100 years since New Zealand was governed from Sydney by Governor Hobson. The Australian Government paid no .subsidy for this splendid service, nor had New Zealand ever elected to enter into the Australian Federation, which she had the opportunity of doing in 1!)02. “It is time New Zealand took steps to have the term ‘Australasia’ wiped off the. map,” emphatically declared Air Moritc'.son, adding that lie had introduced this question when he was vice-president of the Otago Expansion League. HUGE SUGAR PRODUCTION. Some interesting particulars relating to tlie sugar industry in Hawaii and Fiji was given. Owing to the small wages—ls Oil a day—which had been paid, coolie labour in Fiji had been somewhat restive lately. Some time ago Mr Aloritzson pointed out to the commissioners who had investigated the position in Fiji that Fijian sugar was already protected by the tariff to the extent of Id a lb, against other sugars imported into the Dominion, and he did not think the Government of New Zealand would encourage any alteration in the tariff which would involve an increase in the price to the public. COOLIES OWN .MOTOR CARS. Sugar production was the principal industry in Hawaii, (10.000 tons a year being sent to San Francisco, wiser it is refined, and huge profits were made during the war, dividends being as high as fiO and 80 per cent. The coolies did well, too, in those times, and many ran their own automobiles on the high wages they earned. The New Zealand Government took the Fiji sugar during the war, and it was sold wholesale in the Dominion at .'ld a lb, so that tl le Indian labourers did not benefit to anything like the extent thal the Japanese coolies did in Hawaii. Wages are down to 2.50 dol. to 3.n0 del. a day in Hawaii, as against Is (id per day in Fiji. TRADE IN CEMENT.

There is a demand for cement in private and Government contracts, and there is no reason wliv New Zealand should not take a share in supplying requirements. It is anticipated that a second very large drv dock will also ho constructed in the near future. Coal export from New Zealand has also suffered on account of the war, and Westport coal for hunkering, gas and other purposes would he in good demand again if the owners can meet requirements. Mr Moritzsun urged that Wellington should ho it regular port of call bv the new Canadian Government Marine Shipping Company, as certain meats can he exported for this end of the island. Propaganda work should also be undertaken to impress on Hawaiian importers the superiority of New Zealand products, such as cheese, butter, meat, fruit, vegetables, which are exported under Government supervision. Owing to the importation of Mediterranean fly in Australian fruit into Hawaii, an embargo was placed upon the latter, which would give New Zealand an opportunity of introducing her produce into the islands.

A few years "hack poultry and eggs wore exported from New Zealand to the Pacific Islands, but as the industry had not been developed production laid fallen until the supply was only sufficient for the needs of the Dominion. If the industry was encoutaged there was an excellent market for both poultry and eggs.