TRADE WITH BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1921, Page 5

TRADE WITH BRITAIN.

DOMINION COMPLAINTS. UNFAIR TREATMENT. OTHER BUYERS FAVORED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Oct. 18, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 17. The New Zealand British Trade Commissioner reports that there has been severe criticism by New Zealand buyers regarding th’e treatment they have received from British firms since the armistice. Traders with a ready market found it difficult and almost impossible to secure deliveries, and they felt that the British sellers were favoring buyers near at hand, anfl even giving them goods intended to fill New Zealand orders; yet when the demand for other markets ceased the British firms immediately unloaded on New Zealand goods in completion of orders which in some cases were given years before. It is even said that firms in the United Kingdom waited until prices reached the peak before delivering goods, and did not report the fact that shipment had been made until the goods were on the water. The Commissioner adds that it is important that the Ufiited Kingdom should understand the feeling in New Zealand, whether justified or not. After careful examination of the complaints he is satisfied there is a small percentage of cases where the feeling is fully justified, but in a great number of cases it is not justified. In practically all the cases the trouble was due to laxity in consequence of the previous abnormal conditions. It is essential, while the present feeling exists, that British firms should endeavor to clear themselves of suspicion and deal leniently with the embarrassed traders in New Zealand, who, in many cases, were disgruntled. Above all, it is necessary to get back to the probity aud regularity of the pre-war trade.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aran.