NEW LINE OF SHIPS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1929, Page 6

NEW LINE OF SHIPS

TRADE WITH CANADA. • BIG EXTENSION LIKELY, f WELLINGTON, Sept. 17. ' Expressing the hope that nothing would be done to injure the Dominions’ trade with Canada the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon J. G. Cdbbe, stated in the House of Representatives to-day that the Government had - 56611 informed that four large ..steamers, equipped .with refrigerating plant, would be placed in tiie service between New Zealand and Canada by the Canadian National jßiailwajy Company 'if an assurance were given that frozen meat would be despatched by those vessels at existing rates.

The question was raised by Air Broadfoot (Wairomo), who asked the Minister whether jthe present shipping service between .Canada .. and New Zealand was satisfactory. ■. Trade between Canada and New Zealand had grown! tremendously, said: Mr Cobbe. A few years ago trade between the two countries amounted to only £400,000, but last year at totalled £2,400,000. If it continued to develop, tho balance, which was now in. favour of Canada, would be overtaken, and we would he' exporting more than we imported. Cabinet had approved of the appointment of a Trade Commissioner In Canada, and an announcement would be made shortly. After he had opened up negotiations in Canada one of his first duties as Trade Commissioner would be to visit some of the American centres. The New Zealand Government looked for t an extension of trade in the United States.

The Canadian Government had treated New Zealand very well, said Mr Cobbe. For some time past the Canadian Railways Company had been running a steamer to New Zealand, but only limited refrigerated space was available. Little more than 5000 carcases could be shipped at one time. Now, however, it was suggested that four large steamers should be put on this run. The vessels would call at New York, Boston, Halifax and Montreal. Such a service would be of great value in building up trade between New Zealand and the United States and Canada. The only condition laid down by tho company was that a fair share of New Zealand’s frozen meat trade should bo provided. “I referred the company’s representative to the Aleat Board,’’ said Air Cobbe. "and I understand he is also getting in touch with the Dairy Board.” The ships would take twelve months to .build, and the service would ,be started if the company was assured of a fair -share of the frozen meat trade at the same rates as those in operation to-day. The Minister expressed confidence in tho wisdom of the Aleat Board and hoped that nothing would bo done to prejudice .development of trade. The company which would run this service owned its own wharves and railways, and in addition it had a great chain of hotels. It was probable that great quantities of lamb exported from New Zealand would bo used in those hotels, and if that were the case it would be of great value to the Dominion