Evening star., 1935-03-31
Delegations are Urged
to Get Foreign Trade
BY HARDEN COLFAX.

OF business men are travelling about
the world on commercial missions in
increasing numbers these days. Some
Of them are bent on financial mis-
sions, some come from governments
with authority to negotiate CONNER
cial treaties, while others are seeking
trade by making offers or showing
samples of merchandise.
AS was pointed out by a cabinet
oficer in Washington this past week.
the depression has forced our manu-
facturers and exporters, interested in
foreign markets, to stay at home.
Their places as visitors in world trade
centers have been largely taken by
our foreign competitors, who, appar-
emily, find that a personal call ac-
complishes better results than a
postage stamp.
During recent weeks Canadian lun-
ber exporters, benefiting by provincial
government grants, began an ex-
tensive program of visits to Latin
American countries to gain new mar
kets. A delegation of outstanding
Canadian business men and govern
ment experts returned from South
Africa recently and. according to our
government reports from Canadian
centers, the results have been striking.
Canada has certain kinds of wood
which also are found in the United
States and with which American
producers have been competing with
Canadians in South Africa, as we'll
as in markets in other parts of the
world. Apparently, however, this
trade delegation from the Dominion
has succeeded in convincing South
African consumers of wood products
that they ought to patronize Canadian
merchants. Consequently, important
concessions have been promised in
freight rates, as well as an agree
ment to give preference to Canadian
products in certain specifications.
It has Just been announced that
japanese financial and commercial
mission will sail for Rio de Janeiro
early next month with the intention
of fostering trade in Brazil and ex-
tending markets in the interior coun-
tries of the Continent. A japanese
business plan, with government aid
(according to reports from the De-
partment of Commerce representative
in Tokio), Is intending to make Para
quay the center of Japanese-South
American commercial policies. There
is to be a Japanese colony established
in that country and its commercial
needs must be met.
Last week, the National Export In
stitute of Italy let 1t be known that
Italian missions would go to Latin
America in the near future and that
the government at Rome is setting up
an extensive barter or clearing house
system for foreign trade outside the
regular quota system. Business in
Latin America particularly Is sought.
Trade delegations from other Euro
pean countries, notably France, Hol-
land and Belgium, are reported to be
planned for Latin America and the
Far East. Entire ships loaded with
samples of all kinds will be shipped
to acquaint merchants with the ex-
porters' products and arrange for the
purchase Of such raw materials as
Latin America and the Far East can
supply.
While the American business world
is not at present engaged in any such
effort, the Federal Government Is en-
deavoring to clear up foreign trade
difhcultieS by means Of reciprocal
trade agreements, which, 1t Is hoped,
will be influential In breaking the
ring of embargoes, quotas, contingents,
and other trade barriers which now
are interfering with the fiow of world
trade. Three of these treaties have
been negotiated-with Cuba, Brazil
and Belgium-and more than score
Of others are inprocess Of consideration.
missions of the foreign countries con-
cerned have been visiting washington
frequently.
At the same time. proposals have