This thesis examines trade between New Zealand and
Japan in the period 1928-1958. These are the years in
which New Zealand and Japan signed commercial treaties
establishing Most Friendly Nation relations. The study is
both of the nature of the trade itself, i.e. the
commodities and the infrastructure of trade, and of the
effect of trade on political relations and issues. Study
of the infrastructure deals with Trade commissioners,
shipping, private trading organisations, and the activities
of small businesses.
The aim of the thesis is to analyse why New Zealand
and Sapan did not develop an extensive trading relationship
in this period given their complementary economic activity.
Very little has been written of this topic and thus much of
the thesis, especially dealing with official (and at the
time confidential) policy on trade with Japan covers areas
dealing with New Zealand history that have not previously
been researched. Other areas in which this thesis has
attempted to 'cover new ground' are shipping and private
business activities between New Zealand and Japan.
The primary method of investigation has been by
research on archival material of the Department of
Industries and Commerce. Unpublished histories of shipping
were also made available to me, and interviews were
conducted with businessmen who were involved with importing/exporting to Japan in the post-war period. oral
history has thus been used to supplement research on
archival material.
The thesis, as summarized at the end, details the
major impediments that prevented the development of an
extensive trading relationship and the importance of New
Zealand's commercial relationship with Britain as a
determining factor on relations with Japan
