TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 84, 3 June 1902, Page 4

TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA.

With peace apparently at hand the question' of trade with South Africa becomes of paramount, importance. So 'far we have been content.torelyupon War Office contracts, but these must now cease, aud if we are to. have any trade relations with Sopth Africa some more -energetic steps will have to be taken than has ’'been the case in the past. A direct steam service is imperative, or if this cannot be arranged on satisfactory terms then facilities shodld be provided for connecting with the several lines trading between Australia, and South Africa - / Some weeks agd it Was announced that the AgentGeneral had been authorised to sign a contract with the Blue Star Line for a, monthly direct service on a subsidy of L 30,000 per annum for three years. We have not heard anything further of the matter, and pr esumably the contractor has not found it possible to comply with the conditions ; if this is not so then it is time we had some official announcement on the subject. We ought to know by this time the probable sailing date of the pioneer steamer of the ser vice. South Africa is bound to see a large influx of population, and there must necessarily be a very heavy expenditure -there in repairs, replacements, and new developments, and the time when the blockhouses will be converted into creameries and butteries is a long way off*. South Africa will require to import food Supplies for two or three years to come, and if New Zealand produce is to find its way there we must push for the trade. The farmers are most directly interested in this matter, and it is they who should agitate.- Evening Post.