TRADE WITH THE EAST

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 672, 26 October 1933, Page 7

TRADE WITH THE EAST

. NFW MARKETS INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE REPORT PRESENTED TO PARLIAMENT. RESULTS IN THE FUTURE. 'Reference too the opening. up of new imarkets and trade with the East is made in the ahnual report of the Departmeht of Industries and Commerce pfesented to Parliament recently. The report states that every effort has (been made to open up and develop markets for New Zealand produce in the East, but.as. in most parts of the world, the East has b'een seriously laffected by the depression. It was not possiible, th'erefore, to see the results of those efforts reflected in any marked increase in the volume and value of New Zealand's export trade to the East. When world economic conditions improved, however, it was hoped that the efforts that had been made would 'beiar fruit. Firms interested in trade with the East had been kept dn close touch with th'e position, and numerous inquiries had been received during- the ilast year from! all parts of the East, particularly British Maliaya, Indda and China, and for many classes of New Zealand products, and in all cases the inquirers had been placed in touch with persons, firms, and organisations likely to be interested. The question of sbippinigi faoilifties had been kept steadily in view. The department liad honorary represent'atives in India, Ceylon, Hongkong and Ohana, and those gentlemen wCre of conSiderable assistance dn submitting market reports and other dnformation essential to New Zealand exporters. While reductions had oecurred in certadn cases in the volume of New Zealand's export trade to the East, it was gratifying to find that, despite the adverse trading" conditions existing in Eastern countries, increases in quantities of commodites shipped had oecurred in certain cases, and in others again that volume had been more or less maintained. Satisfaction is expressed with the substantial increase in trade with. Australia, the Commonwealth now being New Zealand's second best customler. Now that the exchange between Austnalia was at par, it was ianticipated tjhat igfreater quantities of hides, skins, pelts, timber, hemp, and fish would be purchased from New Zealand. Import and export trade with Canada had shown a further decline. The New Zealand Trade Commissioner at Toronto holds the opinion that the rise in wheat prices has considerably helped business generally, and he is of the opinion that, unless serdous international developments occur, there is good ground for hoping that in the eoming season New Zealand's trade with Canada. will increase substantially. 1S0 far as New Zealand's experts to Canada were concerned, -ihe position should, in all circumstances, be viewed with a certain measure of satisfaction, despite the slight falling off dn value during the last year. No country gained at the expense of New Zealand, and if New Zealand's saies had fallen off, it had been for reasons other than favour being given to competingi countries. Comprehensive surveys, relating to almost all the items covered by the trade treaty,. had been made during the year as to the possibilities of developing markets.