Appeal to New Zealand

Trade For N.I.

A STRONG move is being made to induce the New Zealand Government to re move the embargo on citrus fruit from Norfolk Island, with a view to the resump tion of trade and tourist traffic between Norfolk Island and Auckland. The move has the active support of the Norfolk Island and Auckland Chambers of Com merce and there is some likelihood that it will succeed.

It is hoped that trading relations will be resumed when the Union S.S. Co.’s new Islands steamer Matua commences her running (connecting Fiji, Samoa and Tonga with New Zealand and Australia) about next June.

During the five years ended June 30, 1933, New Zealand sold goods to Norfolk Island worth £63,747 and bought from Nor folk Island produce worth £27,561. In addition, there was a considerable tourist traffic. This trade all disappeared when New Zealand placed an embargo on oranges from Australia (of which Norfolk Island politically is a part) and when, as a result of the depression, the shipping service between Norfolk Island and New Zealand was withdrawn. Norfolk Island producers, since then, have been through the “thinnest time” in their history.

M. Barthe, Chief of the Inspection De partment of the French Colonial Service, left Noumea, New Caledonia, for France by the Cap Tarifa on February 7.