TRADE WITH THE EAST

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1931, Page 5

TRADE WITH THE EAST

DUTCH INDIES MARKET. EXPERT TO INVESTIGATE. WELLINGTON, April 15. The announcement that the New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Sydney, Mr L. J. Schmitt, will leave almost immediately tor the Dutch East Indies and Singapore to inquire into the possibility of building up new markets for the Dominion’s products and manufacturers was made yesterday by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mon. P .A. de la Perrclle. Mr Perrclle said that New Zealand bad never been in the background in placing its wool, beef, mutton and cheese, and also much of the manufactures of the Dominion’s secondary industries before desirable markets. The Government was always on the look-out for new markets to exploit and in these times of trade depression ii was necessary to do so. PROMISE FULFILLED.

Some time ago,” said Mr Peireiie

"J promised the Chambers of Commerce, which have always done good Work. Unit the Department of Industries ami CoUimeri'o would a strong effort to find some new amt profitable markets for our products and manufactures which have gained and maintained a lot of praise abroad for their excellence of quality. The promise made to tlie Chambers or Commerce has been fulfilled. The f-'overnment has decided to send to the Dutch Eeast Indies and Singapore a competent trade representative who will investigate the market, among other things, for butter, casein, milk, cream, apples, leather and also tinned meats. Inquiries will also be made about a market for some of the manufactures of our secondary industries. The Dutch East Indies is a market well worth watching and developing.

•‘Since I lmve been Minister of Industries and Commerce,” the Minister continued, ‘‘excellent reports have been furnished to me by the officers of the department, and 1 have been very eager for the Government to go in more and more for new markets. The Prime Minister and the other members of Cabinet have seen eye to eye with the proposals put forward.

"On Saturday Cabinet sat the whole day. and among other important matters discussed was the question of exploring new trade avenues. Every member of the Government is keen to see that all our wares, primary and secondary, go further afield. We have the goods to offer; and all that is required is to display them, for . our producers have a. world-wide repute, and get proper markets established.” COM V AHA T! VK TRA PI NO. Discussing figures dealing with the present export of Now Zealand products to the Dutch East Indies, Air Porrelle stated that during 1930 New Zealand exported to the Dutch East Indies butter to the value of £6530, casein £370, and dried, preserved and condensed milk £764. Australia’s exports of these commodities to the same territorv for 1028-29 totalled £i 33,000. The Government was desirous of developing trade with the Dutch hast Indies which had a population of some 50.000.000.

Air Schmitt will leave Sydney next month on his mission, and it is expeeled that his report, will he m tko Government’s hands by September.