South African Trade.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 341, 15 February 1902, Page 4

South African Trade.

Wellington, Feb 12. li. is ihe opinion ot one or two .'catling merchants in Wellington that Uie Government will not get a single lender iroin steamship owners ior the proposed .South African service. It seems to he the prevailing impression that the proposed subsidy is too low for the class of service required. There is a growing feeling amongst business men also that the trade with South Africa will not, after all total very much. There is no evident desire on the part of the colony’s producers to consign to the Cape at tiieir own iisk, and the merchants and shippers will, naturally, he somewhat chary of

taking liberties with an unknown Quantity like the .South African market. Further, business men aie beginning to ask themselves whether there will really lie available a regular supply of New Zealand produce for the exploitation of this new market ; and the opin on is growing that there will not.

Talking to a Times reporter, a city nan said : “ .My opinion is that the iovernment would be well advised ii, us lead of spending money for the sub' iiding of steamers for the South Airi;an trade, it devised some means by a <yslem of bonuses or otherwise of eii•ouraging our sheepfarmers and butter makers to continue to improve our export material. The market for our produce is the London market. It is doubtful if South Africa will provide a permanent outlet at maximum prices for the qualitv of material which we produce. On the other hand, the rush which is being made by our trade rivals to force themselves into South Africa will probably ease the London market to some slight extent. If our people will remember—and if our Government. will encourage them to remember—that there is always room at the top. we shall always have an assured market in London, especially if Mr Seddon manages to bring off his preferential tariff proposals. I do not think the South African market is now ail it is cracked up to be, except for certain capitalistic adepts in exploitation. Further than that, I am positive that immediately the war is over there will be an enormous development in the immense agricultural and nasloral districts or South Africa, with the result that before many years are past the people will become exporters instead of remaining importers. That is why I say there is nothing in it for New Zealand.