SWEDEN AND NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2089, 15 January 1908, Page 3

SWEDEN AND NEW ZEALAND.

PROSPECTS OF TRADE. (Special to Times!. WELLINGTON, Jan. 18. Count .M tinier, chief consul for Sweden in Australia, who is known a traveller ami author, has come here with instructions from his Government to study our social, po'i•ictl tind economic conditions. Speaking of colonial legislation to a '‘Dominion” representative, Count Moruer said it seemed that tho trend was to hotter the moral conditions by law. Much of this legislation would ho strange to the Swedish people with their strong respect for individual liberty, but there as hero they were striving to attain the same ends—tho simple and ethical life—hut there were doing it by education. They wore allowing personal liberty by educating against the social evil. ‘‘You are seeking to attain the end b.v legislation.” said Count Morner, "anil wo by education. It is indeed an interesting study, and the futuro will see the result. As for myself, 1 prefer a man who does not do wrong because he does not desire, rather than a man who does not do it boeausq he is prohibited.” In regard to the development of trade between Australasia aiuly Sweden tho ConsulGeneral wished that Now Zealand merchants might 'know that there lias been started a line of direct shij>s between Sydney and Sweden. Plenty of cargo has boon, offering from Sweden to Australasia, but tho steamer that sailed direct went back nearly empty. “Why is that?” asked Count Morner. “Surely von have enough products out hero to scud to Sweden or Europe I will be pleased to give information to those who aro interested in the matter.” This same 'ine of steamers, he said; were modern in every way and of large tonnage. They were taking passengers from Sydney for £2O first-class.