The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1884 Trade with Belgium

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 74, 2 December 1884, Page 2

The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1884 Trade with Belgium

A mkktin(t of the Council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce was held a few days ago to meet M. pe Hauven, a gentleman who has come to New Zealand with a view to establishing commercial relations between Belgium and this Colony, anrl also to find an outlet for the surplu. population of that country. Tlie principal articles of Colonial production which would find a new market in Belgium and other parts of Enropo. through Antwerp, would be frozen meat, wool, and timber suitable for cabinet work. The question naturally enough arises, would the exporter from New Zealand get a better price for his goods ? That is the main point, and it appears to have been overlooked altogether according to the report before us of the business of the meeting. Another point is, would it be safe to send shipments of value into a country which is even now on the brink of what may prove to be a civil war ? There are two rival parties — the Liberal and the Clerical — which are only now kept from each others throats by the gendarmes and civic guards. These are matters which would come in for after consideration when the whole subject was being ventilated. We do not think that any other city in Europe can enter into competition with London as the mart for the wool produce of the world, and it would be a mistake for colonial growers to attempt to support a Foreign against the Home market, which has never yet been glutted with Colonial produce. It would be found e%*en more difficult at the outset to force frozen meat into the Continental market than it has been to do so in England, although, everything considered, the progress made in that direction has been remarkably successful. As the whole of the financial part of any business transactions between the two countries would have to be conducted through London bankers, the trade would practically remain with Great Britain. The ornamental timbers of New Zealand are spoken of as being likely to attract the attention of Belgian cabinet makers. Every attempt which has hitherto been made to find a market for any large shipments in England has proved a failure, but if a demand were created for them on the Continent the prejudice against them might be removed, and articles constructed thereof become fashionable. Belgium possesses abundant coal and iron mines, which constitute an exhaustless source of wealth, and it has besides extensive woollen and lace manufactures. It is the most densely populated country in Europe, and herein lies the benefit which may be achieved by the opening up of a trade with that country. It is a historical fact that the establishment of many ot the most successful manufactures in England was mainly due to the Flemings and other foreigners who, in " the good old times," were compelled to seek in that country a refuge from political or religious persecution, and who were gradually absorbed into her population. The Flemings are a frugal and industrious people, who would make excellent colonists and good citizens. Their advent would not interfere with the labor market, for we understand that the main object in view is to establish a special settlement in some part of the colony best suited to their habits of life and. intended industrial pursuits. The remarks made by Mr Pearce were very apt. He said M. de Harven must not expect very large immediate results from his efforts. Commerce ran in grooves, and it was difficult to alter its course by individual efforts. Commerce follows the British flag, and with every desire to open friendly relations with foreign countries, they have been so long accustomed to dealing with Great Britain that it would take some time to effect a change. He thought the real solution of the problem would lie m introducing immigrants first from Belgium ; commerce would then follow. j