TRADE WITH PATAGONIA.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1434, 8 May 1912, Page 8

TRADE WITH PATAGONIA.

PIELD POP NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE. (By Teleerapli.—Press Association.) Palmerston North, May 7. At a meeting of the Koinncy Marsh Shecpbrcedera' Association a very interesting letter was read from Mr. 11. L. Reynard, of Punla Arenas, in the Straits of, Magellan, Patagonia. Mr. Reynard said Punta Arenas presented a line field for the sale of Now Zealand I'omney .sheep. There was only one thing which militated against the satisfaction of a large demand, and that was tho lack of direct steam communication between New Zealand and Punta Arenas. All Now Zealand products bad to be taken to Monte Video, and there transhipped ever 3000 miles at a heavy cost in freight, etc. As the Straits of Magellan were now well lighted, there was no reason why steamers should not call there. So far all efforts made at that end had failed to induce them to do so. 110 ho,:ed efforts would be made at this end tn bring pressure to bear. In spite of ail those drawbacks. New Zealand sheep had been imported there, but only by wealthy farmers. They considered New Zealand Romneys belter than the English borauso'groaier attention had been given to tho fleece, and il was onlv in recent years that Kentish farmers had paid proper attention to this important matter. There was also a good demand for draught horses, cattle. thoroughbred horses, well-bred pigs, pnnllrv, grain, grass and other seeds. Hour, potatoes butter, cheese, and fruit (fresh and preserved). In manufactures, harness, saddlery, wagons, and agricultural implements were wanted, nil of which New Zealand could supply. The Straits of Magellan should be a "highway for a very considerable number of large steamships. Punt?. Arenas was a town ov 10,000 inhabitants, and a distributing centre over a large region. It was decided that the association approach the different shipping companies and Government asking that a special rate be granted lor shipping stud stw-k from New Zealand to the southern ports of Eolith America during August, September. anil Oclober. and (hat: the <.iflvcrnnienl: be asked to ro-»prr;tl". 'I'll" I'riiiio Millif to be a.-.i;"d (o receive n deputation