H.—44.

Industkial and Commercial Bulletins. During the past year the Department has continued with the issue of bulletins containing information on industrial and commercial subjects. As usual, the bulletins have been sent to the press, Chambers of Commerce, manufacturers' associations, prominent business executives, overseas trade representatives, and other persons and firms to whom they are likely to be of interest and value. The issues made during the year were as follows : — Bulletin No. 9 : Report on Prospects of extending New Zealand's Trade with Japan, China, and Hong Kong. Bulletin Nos. 10, 11, 13, and 14 : Summary of the Finance, Trade, and Industries of New Zealand for the Quarter and Year ended 30th June, 1930, 30th September, 1930, 31st December, 1930, and 31st March, 1931, respectively. Bulletin No. 12 : Trade with the Dutch East Indies. It is hoped that after the return of the New Zealand Trade and Tourist Commissioner in Australia from his mission to the Dutch East Indies and Singapore the Department will be able to supplement the information contained in Bulletin No. 12 by an additional report based on a first-hand knowledge of the requirements of the people of the particular countries visited. Trade Information Service and Miscellaneous Activities. Apart from the dissemination of information concerning trade and other matters by means of the issue of bulletins, the Department is called upon day by day to an ever-increasing extent to supply general information relating to the Dominion's industries, commerce, and economic and social conditions, and particular information relating to specified industries. Inquiries are constantly being received from business firms and persons both in New Zealand and overseas regarding the prospects for the successful marketing of particular products either in the Dominion or abroad, or regarding the conditions and general suitability of New Zealand for the establishment of specified industries. Inquiries are also frequently received from abroad from persons desirous of coming to the Dominion and setting up here in business. In a report of this kind details cannot be given of the large number of inquiries of the nature mentioned above, more particularly as many of these matters must be treated as confidential. In general, it may ' be said, however, that the Department acts as a medium for the establishment of business contacts between persons and firms in New Zealand, and also between local and overseas interests. It is the practice of the Department, too, to assist representatives of overseas firms visiting the Dominion by placing them in touch with exporters or importers of the products in which they are interested. To the representative from overseas this is a valuable service, for it enables him to communicate with the principal business houses interested much more readily than if left to ascertain prospective buyers or sellers by his own unaided efforts. To the industrialist abroad who is considering the investment of capital in the Dominion the Department affords reliable and carefully compiled information for the purpose of encouraging the establishment of industries suitable to the New Zealand conditions. Such information includes that relative to cost of land, availability of labour, and supplies of raw material, tariffs, transport facilities, market prices, &c. Many overseas manufacturers have already extended their operations to New Zealand by the erection of factories and plant, and a considerable amount of capital from overseas has consequently been invested in the Dominion, particularly from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. Amongst the industries in which such developments have already taken place in New Zealand are those relating to the manufacture of tobacco, fertilizers, iron products, confectionery, motor-body building, &c. The future prospects for further extension of British-controlled factories in New Zealand appear to be quite promising. The following list of a few of the inquiries of the nature referred to above received and undertaken by the Department during the past year may provide some indication of the extensive variety of subjects with which the officers of the Department are constantly required to deal. Investigations and inquiries regarding — Market for New Zealand greenstone. Market for New Zealand talc. Marketing of passion-fruit in Canada. Markets for china clay. Linseed-oil industry in New Zealand. Alleged dumping of fur garments into New Zealand from Australia. Seagrass-furniture trade in New Zealand. Markets for diatomaceous earth. Utilization of raw and processed wool in mattress-making and upholstery-work. Possible manufacture of liver-extract in New Zealand. Possibilities of supplying London and Continental markets with boned rabbit meat. Marketing of Samoan bananas. Possibilities of manufacturing motor-tires and other rubber goods in New Zealand. Prospects of manufacturing aluminium goods in New Zealand.

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