TRADE WITH AMERICA.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1922, Page 6

TRADE WITH AMERICA.

NEW ZEALAND’S SHARE. CONSUL-GENERAL’S ADVICE. Advice to New Zealand to make an effort to get a greater share of the trade with the United States was given by Mr. D. F. Wilbur, American ConsulGeneral, in an address to members of the Wellington Warehousemen’s and Commercial Travellers’ Association. “There is nothing that has injured the export trade of the United States so much as the rate of exchange,” said Mr. Wilbur. “If the Americans could have made the rate of exchange normal they would have done it long ago,” ' he added. “There is another thing—about our tariff. Yes, we have a tariff. I reckon it is a good thing to have a tariff. If we didn't have it oftentimes we would have nothing to talk, about. “So far as the primary products of New Zealand are concerned, let me tell you one thing—the tariff of the United States is no barrier. I have just received figures from home showing that 53 per cent, of our consumed wool in 1921 was imported. Why? Becausy we do not grow it. It would not make any difference if the duty was 50 cents a pound; we would have to have the wool and pay the piper. Every other country has its tariff for revenue purposes if for nothing else. Here in New Zealand you have your tariff the same as every country, but I am not here to discuss tariff questions —whether the tariff in New Zealand or whether the tariff of any other country is right or not. The people in the Parliaments and Congresses of the various countries made the tariff, and we will have to give them credit for being conscientious and doing what they believed to be right. Instead of talking about tariff, let us get together and get after the (business in both countries.

“I am sure there is a market in the United States for your primary products; perhaps you have not gone after it as vigorously as you should. Out of 318,060 bales of wool imported into the United States last year, only 30,000 bales came from New Zealand. That was your share. Why not get a larger share?”

Mr. Wilbur concluded by offering Iris assistance in every possible way in furthering trade between America and New Zealand. “Of course, I know it is only natural for you to want to trade with the Mother Country,” he said, “but if there is a thing in my country that you cannot get anywhere else, I will help you to get it.”