Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, FEB. 20, 1902. Extension of Trade.

Manawatu Herald, 20 February 1902, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, FEB. 20, 1902. Extension of Trade.

The other day, at the Conference of the Chambers of Commerce, Mr John Holmes read a paper on the “Extension of Trade and Commerce ” from which both useful facts and hints can be obtained. To secure success in any direction it is necessary that enterprise and push must be used, and Mr Holmes instances the Yankees as being always in evidence in constantly pushing their goods. That push is needed for the furthering of our export trade it is shown that since 1890 the exports have grown nearly four millions. The total now being over thirteen millions, which sum is likely to be much increased by the butter industry. It is well to exploit all markets, the wider the sphere of trade the better, but whilst we are doing all the talking in this direction the neighbouring colonies are acting. Taking the whole of our export trade it is shown that nearly 77| per cent goes to London, and 14 per cent to Australasia, per cent to other British possessions, and only 8£ per cent to the United States, and 1£ per cent to Foreign parts. This shows that the merchants have got into one grove and have not been able to get out of it, thus proving how much good might be gained by energetic pushing of our trade. As showing how every effort should be made to bjing New Zealand into closer trade relations with Great ..Britain, Mr Holmes related -that the large centres at Home desired direct consignments, objecting to having to deal second-hand through London. The Scotch houses finding no direct trade opening up, deal in Finnish, Russian and Canadian butters, as their business methods insist on being drawn on at sixty days’ sight against a bill of lading and insurance policy. As no vessel trades to these ports the conditions fixed cannot be carried out and the colony loses the value of this business. Manchester in like manner desires direct trade, and though the Bradford buyers would find it to be a convenient market no shipment is as yet sent right into the heart of the woollen mills country. It would be possible by trying to meet the buyers living elsewhere than London, a very much greater demand for meat, wool, and butter might be obtained in Great Britain. It is instructive to find that our Colonial neighbours have gone further afield in trade, and Victoria only send • CG* p.ncent of hoc exports to

London. She sends nearly 19 per oont to other British Possessions and a little over 11 per cent to Foreign countries. The amount she sends to the United States is even loss .than we send. On the other hand New South Wales sends over 14 per cent of her exports to the United States, 29J per cent to London, and nearly 18 par cent to Foreign countries, which shows there is an opening for New Zealand competition. The whole text of the address insists upon life and energy being displayed in opening up new markets, though not in necessarily new. countries, it being true, as Mr Holmes concludes that, “If we are all true to ourselves, if we would remember that indifference to our commerce produces depreciation of trade, and that industry and activity bring wealth and power, we have nothing to fear as to our future commercial condition which must, in the natural order of things, bring increased prosperity to these “ Fortunate Isles." Mr Holmes suggests—“ To insure for this colony the best representation in the British markets, I would respectably suggest the advisableness of giving extended powers to the Agent-General, who has already done signal service for New Zealand, or separating the political from the commercial representation in London, establishing an office in the Pity under a qualified commercial trade commissioner with power to appoint agents in the provinces who could supply general information. This latter plan has been adopted by Canada while the former has been worked successfully by our Victorian neighbours. The resident commissioner and his staff w .uld, with advantage, arrange periodical conferences with the .various boards of trade and chambers of commerce to whom he could supply the fullest and most reliable information as to the names of the shippers, values of produce, rates of freights, also help to overcome the many prejudices that at present exist against New Zealand produce, and correct wrong impressions as to the conduct of the export business. While disseminating useful information he would also be gathering valuable data for the guidance of the mercantile community in New Zea and which would repay the outlay."