The Chronicle PUBLISHED DAILY. LEVIN. THURSDAY, JULY 15, 1915.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 15 July 1915, Page 2

The Chronicle PUBLISHED DAILY. LEVIN. THURSDAY, JULY 15, 1915.

THE KIGH COMMISSIONER FOR NEW ZEALAND.

From the Hon. T. Mackenzie, High Commissioner for 'New Zealand. The Chronicle has received an interesting article "On New Zealand,''' written by Mr. Mackenzie lor the newspaper The Financier. The article deals In interesting manner with . the trade, shipping, and productive activities of New Zealand. A paragraph touching the work of the High Commissioner ■ and the officers of his department is of an interest so general that we reprint it in extcnso as an item of news lor oiu' readers. The publication of the High Commissioner's article in England is likely to increase the demand there lor New Zealand primary products. The paragraph to wliicTi we refer specially runs as follows: — "Unfortunately. through lack of knowledge, attacks are made on the High Commissioner's Oflice and the value given in return 101 its cost questioned. The public only require to know what is done to satisfy themselves of the use and value of a well-administered High Cpinmis sioner's Office to sNow Zealand. From the office reports containing full particulars of the work done are sent annually to the New Zealand Government. Last year's ro port may be said to have covered moro ground than any previous one. It was felt that it was part of tho duties of the High Commissioner to keep his .finger on the pulie of trade and commerce 'as far as 'possible, so that he might be able to guide tho producers of the dominion in connection with the matters ill which they are so deeply interested. Such items as wool, moat, butter, cheese,wheat, oats, honey, fruit, hemp, gum, etc., were dealt with. The situation in regard to these products was carefully studied and summarised, deductions drawn, and ill many instances forecasts ventured. The statistics of the world's production were tabulated, analysed, and sifted, and the world's probable consumption was estimated. Influences bearing upon any 'particular article were considered. Take wool, for instance. that being the article of greatest* export value to the Dominion, amounting to about £10.000,000 per annum.- From statistics we saw that there was a shortage of imports into Europe and North America for 1912-13 of 194,000 'bales. The influence of cotton (which is wool's chief competitor) on the price of wool was carefully considered. When the price of cotton is high it tends to keep Mie price of wool steady, but since thait estimate was made cotton has fallen considerably m value, and that should have had a tendency to lower the price of wool. The facts, however, that- the United States was admitting wool duty free and that the demand of the wool-using peoples of the world was increasing justified the High Commissioner in venturing the opinion that prices would not recede, -but would, in certain circumstances, increase. Of i

course, prices have risen enormously, "but the war 'has had an upsetting effect upon all conclusions. Butter, cheese, grain and other interests were dealt ■with in the same manner."