Trade With England.

Manawatu Herald, 27 January 1898, Page 2

Trade With England.

MR JOHN HOLMEsVp MANCHESTER. He reached London on the 26th October. "I am," he stated yester. day to a representative of the Guardtan,,» pleased to say that in London brokers and merchants are anxious to give every assistance in developing a better trade with New Zealand— in i fact, with British colonies every, where. I found in my nereiyrini. *■ throat!. »h. oity. _ B d^.T« i»

the country, very good results from the recent viait of the various Premiers, particularly our own (the Right Hon R. J. Seddon), who has brought New Zealand very much to tho front. Importers, machinist. , and others should have their atten tion called to the fact that a bonus is offered by the New Zealand Government of £1,750 for a machine that will dress phormium tenax, the New Zealand hemp. This offer should lead English investors to send out some implement that will dress tha fibre better than the appliances aii present in use. The Maoris. merely use a shell in their manipulation of the fibre, and even with that produce beautiful results. There oan be no doubt as to the great possibilities in store for New Zealand hemp, which is useful for many other purposes besides the manufacture of cordage or rope. We believe that in its present state it might be largely used for warp for carpets and such like fabrics. But for binder twine — of which there is an enormous annual consumption — the fibre is unquestionably second to none, and it is certainly cheaper than any other. In offering this bonus we hope to get a machine which will give us a greater certainty of catering for all requirements, improve the dressing of the fibre, and at the same iime reduce its cost." " We have in New Zealand," continued Mr Holme's, " a large area of country suitable for growing hemp, «nd we are anxious to get a full ahare of the world's trade. We believe that with a fuller knowledge we shall be able to do so, and we are hopeful that the goal may be reaohed by a higher olass of dressing. Official returns show that the exports of hemp in 1870 amounted to 5,470 tons, of the valuo of £182,578 ; in 1880 to 915 tons, value £15,911 ; and in 1890 to 21,158 tons, value £881,789. " Those are remarkable fluctuations ? Quite so, and it is difficult to account for them, except by the fact that there was probably a larger supply of 'Manila and sisal fibres. whioh came into direct competition with New Zealand hemp, and which were perhaps also pushed with more zeal than our New Zealand exporters. exerted. However, we are overcoming that, and I trnst a wide circulation of the knowledge tbat New Zealand hemp is suitable for so many requirements will bear fruit. In 1890 we had 177 mills working in the country, giving direct employment to many thousands of men and boys. "As to the Ship Canal and its capabilities? lam indebted tothe Chairman of the Canal Company for generously plaoing a steam launch at my disposal. I was enabled to have what I may call a bird's-eye view of the enormous enterprise displayed in the construction of the canal. If the importers of produce would combine, I see no reason why soma, direct communication could ! not be secured from our colony to! Manchester. I cannot understand j how. the present condition of things can continue, and in the natural course of events there must surely i be, in tbe near' future, direct com- 1 munication. I have heard while I ■ have been in Manchester that there ; is here a preference 5 tbr River Plate j mutton over that of New Zealand, j which seems incomprehensible to me. The keenness of preception and oareful business knowledge for which the Lancashire man las worldwide fame should bave led bim to go at all events to a British colony like New Zealand, where considerable suma of British money are invested. If he would give us a share of the trade, he wonld find that he would get quite as good if not superior value in mutton, frozen rabbits, and the like. We bad to develop a speoial meat trade, and we have gone to % good deal of expense in establishing a connection with the mother country. The enormous strides we bave made are evidence of what can be done in the colony to cater for the wants of the British consumer. " As to my future movements ? Well, after a short stay here I shall probably visit Glasgow, Dundee, and Belfast, Then I shall go to the United States, Mexico, and Yucatan, and probably the Philippine Islands. From there I shall visit Cana .ajtad retnrn to New Zealand K by Vancouver. I expect to reach home again in about a year from now. 1 ' i