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Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 78, 25 May 1880, Page 3

ANTWERP AS A GRAIN MARKET. In view of the large area of land in New Zealand now sown with corn for purposes of export, wheat especially, it is very important that the fact should not be lost sight of that other, markets are available -for our colonial produce besides .those of. Great Britain. ' The favorable position of Antwerp in this respect has. just had. pointed attenGion directed to it through a oiroular despatched by, Messrs. Berclolt and Co., of that city, to the Belgian. 6ojisuls in. .the/ colonies., t Mr Charles Johnston, who represents the Kingdom of Belgium... consularly. at )Vellington, has favored us with a copy of this document, which proves beyond contradiction that Antwerp has grown during the last' few years into one of the largest corn markets in Europe. During the year 1879 Antweip imported no less than 2J5 5 7,^8 9. quarters of wheat, while London imported ■2.855,128 quarters; Antwerp thus has actually overtaken and passed London iv the quantity of wheat imported. The circular goes on to 'say 1 : — "Our trade, as shown by our imports in fhe.ye£jrs[fipm ilß^ovto |87i>, and especially ly those of last year, is already sufficiently important "to be worth the while of shippers in all corn-growing centres to compete for: a share of it. But they will have the mere reason for doing so if they consider that this trade is as yet only in an early stage of its development, i and that it bids' fair to increase still | very considerably. In fact, Antwerp is not only the commercial emporium of Belgium ; it is also the most favorably situated port for a large part of Germany and France. A glance at tho map will show that our market extends far be3'ond our southern and eastern frontiers, and comprises large territories with dense industrious and wealthy populations which may be considered as our natural customers. No other continental port except Rotterdam, and that only as far as the navigation on the Rhine iJß;c6n</erse#,' &ii |n these' quarters .comj)ete successfully with us^ Our trado with them has augmented considerably, especially since the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany, which secured for u,S,.ih,e cheapest, because it is the shortest,' railway route to these provinces arcl to Switzerland. The consequent accession of trado is one of the chief reasons of tbe^enjn'.mfius. increase of our corn imports," ; Iti conclusion, Messrs Beklolt jVoint. out that " the Continental corn trade is more and more deserving the full attention, of grain shippers in ail parts of the »wor)d, and .that of all;th,e European. ■Continental markets wVere an ex* tensive and regular business in grain,, may be' done, the most important is' incontestab]y Antwerp." . Thete sug^ gestions deserve full consideration at the hands of our commercial ,aulhorities.—^Evening Post. '