TRADE WITH THE EAST

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 326, 11 April 1928, Page 16

TRADE WITH THE EAST

AORANGI’S VARIED CARGO INCREASED BUTTER EXPORTS Visitors to the Prince’s Wharf yesterday afternoon were given convincing testimony regarding the productivity of the Auckland Province. The Aorangi was lifting a varied cargo for Honolulu, China, Japan and Canada. New Zealand has built up an extensive seasonal trade with the United States and Canada which, but for tariff restrictions and comparatively high handling charges, would undoubtedly increase rapidly. One of the first consignments to go on board comprised 3,000 cases of apples, the bulk of which were going to Honolulu. Some were also destined for Japanese buyers. A rather large shipment of onions to catch the seasonal short market in Vancouver was also included in the cargo. Several shipments of onions have left Auckland for Canada this year. With prices right here, New Zealand merchants can . generally operate to advantage with Western Canada at this time of the year, an off-season for onions in those parts. BUTTER FOR CHINA Butter is being shipped in increased quantities to the West Coast of America, and the East this season. A total of 14,323 boxes went forward on the Aorangi to-day, of which 1,408 boxes are consigned to Honolulu, 12,215 boxes for Vancouver, 400 for Shanghai and 300 for Kobe and Yokohama. In addition, 425 crates of cheese were consigned to Vancouver. A small parcel of New Zealand hemp also went forward on the Aorangi. New Zealand’s trade with Canada and the United States has been maintained at a fairly steady level during the past decade. Any indicated increase has generally been checked by a tightening up of tariff restrictions. This year there has been a decided increase in the amount of butter shipped from these parts to the-West-ern Coast of North America, and already there is talk of increasing the Canadian tariff. The duty on imports into the United States was increased not long ago. WHAT STATISTICS SHOW Statistics show that hides and skins have formed the most valuable item of trade between New Zealand and North America during the past de cade. During 1925 exports under this head were valued at fPA.548,300. Wool is also a solid item, being valued at £1,202,937 for 1925. Butter seems to have reached the highest level, with the exception of the current season, in 1924, when exports to the value of £547,437 were sent forward to the North American Continent. The present season is expected to close with returns of dairy produce exports considerably ahead of any to date. From the above resume it can be seen that New Zealand’s mercnants have paved the way for the development of an extensive trade with those parts. New Zealand's dairy produce is meeting with the greatest increase in demand, and it is confidently hoped by those in the trade that each year will see a steady improvement m the sales to Canada, the United States and the East.