The Dominion. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1912. NEW AVENUES OF TRADE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1607, 26 November 1912, Page 4

The Dominion. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1912. NEW AVENUES OF TRADE.

The Special Commissioner from the Port of Hull, Mr. Austin Wilson, who addressed the Wellington Chamber of' Commerce yesterday on the desirableness of the Dominion opening up a regular trade with Hull, revived a question which is always deserving of attention. New Zealand must necessarily be keenly interested in any proposal which holds out prospects of new and profitable markets for the produce which she exports, and while it cannot be said that any great enterprise .has been shown in recent times in opening up new avenues of trade, those engaged in the development of our staple industries have not been altogether idle in this direction. The case made out by Mr. Wilson in favour of a diversion of a portion of our exports from the port of London to the port of Hull was sound enough iip to a given point. There are certain advantages to be gained by opening up a' trade on the lines suggested. The port of Hull serves a population of many millions; it possesses excellent facilities for handling our frozen produce, and can do the handling more cheaply than is done by the Port of London. It would be a good thing in some respects if we could rely on a steady trade with Hull, as supplementary to our existing trade with the Metropolis, instead of having to rely almost entirely, as at present, on the Port of London and the London market. But Mr. Wilson, judging by the published report of his address, was by no means clear that that trado could be developed on satisfactory lines. As Mr. Slapden pointed out, if there was any appreciable demand for our produce'within the area served by the port of Hull, and shipping facilities were available, the meat exporting companies would be ready enough' to send supplies. No doubt there is a market for a certain amount of our produce, but whether the shipping facilities would be forthcoming without substantial financial assistance is open to question. The shipping , companies at present trading between New Zealand and the Port of London would not be likely to make Hull a port of call either direct or by extending their service through to •Hull after calling at London, unlesß some good were shown, either by way of subsidy or by the prospect of a loss of freights unless they did'so. They prefer, for various reasons, to make London the centre of their trade in England. As to getting a new direct line of steamers to run between Australia, New Zealand, and Hull, this would no doubt involve the payment of a substantial subsidy, and before this could be undertaken a great deal moro information than is at present available would bo required by the Governments concerned. Still, the question raised by Mr. Wilson is one deserving of careful investigation. The Chamber of Commerce yesterday referred the matter to its Council- for consideration, and it is to be hoped that that body will give it the close scrutiny it deserves. In Australia, we believe, the idea has been received in certain quarters with a good deal of favour, but apparently no definite decision has yet been , arrived at there respecting the best course to pursue in the matter.