NEW ZEALAND AFFAIRS IN AMERICA.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3857, 27 November 1883, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND AFFAIRS IN AMERICA.

It appears to mo, and to others equally well informed (writes the 'Frisco correspondent of the Otago Times), that the Orderin Couucil prohibiting tho importation of livo stock from tho United States was a mistake. There is really no danger to apprehend from this side—none anyhow Avhich quarantine could not sufficiently guard against. There is no rinderpest, foot and mouth disease, murrain, or Avhatever else it may bo called in this country. _ The Texas fever is strictly localised, and is developed only when cattlo are driven iv large herds long distances without Avator. Owing to the tendency latterly to fence in cattle ranges in Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado, the old system of "drives" is being abandoned, cattle being now generally transported by railway, which reduces the liability of an outbreak of the disease to a minimum. But none of these cattle have contact Avith the blooded herds or dairy stock of the country, Avhich aro protected with the greatest vigilance. Just at a time when tho New Zealand Stud and Pedigree Company had opened a trade with the Pacific coast, Avhich avouUl dovelopo into largo proportions, America is Avarued not to send any blooded stock to New Zealand, all countries being placed under ban except Australia. This is bad policy, seeing that it is wholly unnecessary, so far as we are concerned. I understand that 01. bulls and heifers from the Hereford herd of the New Zealand Company arc to arrive to order next steamer, due a week hence, for which an average of -luO dollars (C2O) each Avill be paid. Arrangements are being made for a monthly shipment, Mr Craig, tho local, agent of the company, having undertaken to establish a distributing farm on the Contra Costa Slope, near Oakland—a most suitable location. The substance of the New Zealand Order-in-Coiincil, lioavovct, has been telegraphed all over the country, and unfavourably commented upon, and I should not bo surprised if the American Breeder*' Association retaliated by procuring the exclusion of Ncav Zealand stock. Upon other grounds I think this is regrettable. The United States Government was beginning to take a lively interest in New Zealand, and was disposed to make concessions to it which it Avould deny to any other British dependency, and just Avhon proofs of its friendship were not wanting, this prohibition of a growing trade comes upon us like a surprise. New Zealand profits more than America by its commercial intercourse and exchange Avith the latter. I hope that the subject may be reconsidered, and that the United States (excluding Texas, Now Mexica, and Colorado) may be placed on tho same plane as Australia. I almost suspect that the Astralian pastoral_ interest prevailed upon New Zealand in this matter to it own hurt. They tried the same policy some ten years ago, although it was from Australia that New Zealand originally borroAved the cattle disease. In this, as in all other matters, New Zealand has strength enough to stand alone.

The Now Zealand Insurance Company has just completed the purchase of one of the finest blocks in California-street, San Francisco, giving a frontage of GOft, with a depth of 24ft"back to Hallcck-street, upon Avhich a six-story pressed brick and granite building will be erected. When the improvements are completed, the New Zealand Insurance Company will be represented here by the finest business block in the city. I have seen a drawing of the front elevation, which Avill dwarf all surrounding structures, and compel the expenditure of capital by local and foreign corporations to keep pace Avith it. This purchase, Avhen announced in _ the Post, created quite a sensation in the city. It is a good investment, as tho property Avould to-day sell for £5000 more than the company paid for it. In this the New Zealand Insurance Company exercised .sound business sense. • California, or rather the Pacific coast generally, is the right arm of New Zealand insurance aud commercial institutions. They arc Avcll represented all round. Mr Hill Jack is here at present on his Avay from Europe, and sails shortly for Japan, thence to Australia and New Zealand. He states that ho has been greatly pleased Avith the prospect and condition of the business of tho companies which he represents hero, a much better feeling prevailing among underwriters than on the occasion of his first visit. The fact is, everything is on a more permanent basis than it was five years ago, and throughout the State there is steady business progress. Mr Jack generally recognises tho indirect advantage to all New Zealand interests of the spirited policy of tho Ncav Zealand Company.