SOUTH AFRICAN MARKET.

Shannon News, 15 January 1924, Page 4

SOUTH AFRICAN MARKET.

OPENING FOR DOMINION.

The possibilities of trade between South Africa and the Dominion were discussed in. _ Christchurch by Mr W, Fleming McMullen, secretary of the South African Board of Trade, He said: “I feel that the absence of a direct transport service at the present time is the difficulty, but if it can be surmounted, I am satisfied from what I have seen of the Dominion that there is an opening for trade between the two countries. I observe that New Zealand produces hops, and exports some to Great Britain; we in South Africa have not made a great success of hop-growing, and we are forced to draw our supplies from Great Britain. Apart from the absence of direct transport facilities, there is no reason, why we should not draw our supplies from New Zealand. \ -

“No doubt there are many other items which it should be profitable for New cZaland to place on our market. In return Slouth Africa could place on the New Zealand market, at competitive prices, light wines, possibly tobacco, wattle bark for tanning purposes, and dried fruits. As regards primary 'South Africa is developing rapidly as a dairying country; but it is particularly in her fruits that she is finding an export market at present. Of the total products of South Africa, 60 per cent 'represents food products, manufactured laTgely from raw materials grown in ‘the Union. ~ As regards the meat industry, it i s only in its beginning, but is capable of much expansion.” . '