A NEW WAY TO PUSH TRADE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5390, 6 July 1878, Page 2 (Supplement)

A NEW WAY TO PUSH TRADE.

1 (From the European Mail, May 10.) Under the auspices of the Export Convention, which recently met at Washington, a memorial has been prepared for presentation to Congress which may have an important effect upon American trade. The Convention referred to was called at the instance of the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, and the cloven toot of Protection was to be plainly seen in its midst. Every commercial interest existing in America was represented at the Convention, and some very spirited debating took : place. One of the resolutions proposed and carried was to the effect that all interests in the country demanded the maintenance or establishment of ocean steamship lines between the United States and all places offering a market for trade, audit is this resolution which lias been embodied in the memorial to Congress. The memorialists, who comprise the leading dry goods and other firms in Hew York and elsewhere throughout the United States, think that '■ the only way to remove the depression of trade caused by over-production is to establish direct steamship communication with Mexico, South and Central America, Japan, China, and Australia, and they express their conviction that the establishing of such steamship lines, under Government patronage, with a fair and just compensation for mail service, will invigorate the industries, and arrest the ruin which is rapidly destroying the vitality of the American nation. What the Government will say or do in reply remains to bo seen. American trade is in a bad way when State aid lias

to be called to its assistance. 9?he American Government is undoubtedly a paternal one, but it would show a tender regard for the welfare of its sons which would be fatherly, motherly, sisterly, brotherly, and include the functions of an Orphan Asylum Board to boot, if it were to accede to the prayer of these humble, though enterprising, memorialists. The advocates of Protection in America maintain. that the country has suffered less from financial distress than any country in Europe, except France ; and, of course, the policy pursued by the Protectionist party is credited with this blessing. Nevertheless, matters do not appear to be particularly flourishing as regards the foreign trade, to judge by the tone of the memorial alluded to. Heavy tariffs, tempered by subsidies to ocean steamers, seem to be the latest phase of the Protectionist policy. ,