WHERE N.Z. FAILS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1928, Page 3

WHERE N.Z. FAILS

yOLI.OW-TTIROUGH I’D!.ICY

Canada ha- over fifty trade cmnnisieiiei's; New Zealand lias hut two. one in London and one in Sydney. Camilla, like New Zealand, i- < liictly dependent for prosperity upon the sale of her primary products. In order t’ di-pose of those to the be-t advantage the representatives ol our big -i-‘.er Dominion have i on-i-l ently followed the policy of exploiting every j ;r slide nv-Miuo whereby pi'i'ti)ta.hle business, either in luiving or -ediug. „iav bo •-•■cured. Many can-pi,-non"* examples could bo quoted where outstanding hem'tieia I results have ac-

me,l. New- Zealand ha- a- liieved iv T markable sums' in placing it- primary products on the world - inaiket-. hut this success lm- been due in ihe main to outstanding quality and to the operations of private enterprise. It is a question whether this i- sufficient. An Auckland merchant win discussed this matter with a ‘‘Star’ representative has very strong opinions on flie matter, He suay-;

“ Evieiy business man knows that in addition to supplying goods of high quality, it is necessary to ‘push’ for trade or a more aggressive rival will

secure it. ••Ju this eonne lion Canada supplies a nom rete instance. Jhe great Dominion on tlm other side of the Pacific has ju-t (oniplrted two successful -■ a ns and lias suhstanl uilly increased her wealth in (oiisi"|Ueiiee. “Accoi ding to the .statement of : Canadian visitor recently published Canadian eoinmereial interests are keen to buy from New Zealand. Yet in the whole of that vast Dominion there is no one officially representing the trading interests of tliis country, no one to whom a business man or firm can make an inquiry. Two years ago the Coveniinient made an impressive display at the great Toronto Fair, a display that was a revelation to hundreds of thousands of people. But this effort was not followed up in any way. No exhibit was sent hist year, and it is uncertain whether m nut New Zealand will he represented (bis year. A spasmodic effort such awns made then i> aim: -t useless, any kind of national propaganda mu-t followed up. "Private enterprise has built up a Very fair trade in daily produce with Canada, hut there is always a possiI hility that agrarian interest- may succeed in having heavy duties imposed. \Ye have tin one on the spot, either in .Montreal or Ottawa, whose hc-ino-s ii ito watch the-:' movements and advise the Corernment accordingly. No one interested in pushing other of our saleable lines; i;o one to contrailiei erroneous and injurious reports, stlell a> that published in the ‘Alonircnl Plat'.’ which alleged the existence el foot and mouth disease in this eon liny. There would appear to be ample ...-ij hr an official representative of lli" C: vrnment to watch the trading inter':-( of this country in Canada. \mi while Hlis matter is being invr.x----i ie.ited it i. as well to rcinemher that . ji.ue no diroi t shiptiing connertion nil;, Son''! \ friea. -lava. Singapore e Arc we missing valuable trade in Hiese t onntrie- also, simply through a Ini".: : aiiv policyf"