The Daily News. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1901. NEW ZEALAND AND THE FEDERAL TARIFF.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 257, 31 October 1901, Page 2

The Daily News. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1901. NEW ZEALAND AND THE FEDERAL TARIFF.

Those who fear loss to New Zealand farmers through the Federal tariff must remember that trade with Australia cannot last for ever. A few years ago climatic conditions restricted production very greatly; but irrigation, the separator, and the freezing chamber have enabled Australia to become a competitor in many lines with New Zealand. When the vast are* of the country is considered it must be seen that it is only a question of time when New Zealand will cease to benefit; by the Australian markets. Speaking recently in Christchurch Mr. Stead, who has a large experience in the Australian trade, said that "he remembered the volume of exports from New Zealand to Yictoria thirty years ago. Ten year 3 later the volume of these exports had fallen considerably, while in another ten years they had almost disappeared. Now Yictoria was actually an exporter of the very articles that were sent from Canterbury in very large quantities. He was referring particularly to oats and to butter. As they all knew, not only had Yictoria ceased to take their oats, but she was a large exporter to South Africa, and the butter factories in Yictoria now were sending very large quantities to the Home market. In a lesser degree the same remarks applied to New South Wales. Thirty years ago New Zealand exported to New South Wales large quantities of wheat, flour, and bran, as well as butter, hams, bacon, etc. I s ow they only sent in oats, potatoes, a little bacon, and perhaps malt. - South Australia had almost ceased to import from New Zealand, and the same remarks applied to Queensland. He was of the opinion that Australia, in a very few years, would produce or grow herself everything she was now importing from New Zealand, and had they federated with the hope of retaining the market they would have been following what he might term a will-o'-the-wisp." It is evident from this that New Zealand's j true policy lies in seeking new outlets! for our manufactures, and new markets for our products. To a certain extent the Federal tariff appears likely to prove a blessing in disguise because it will compel us to look for a new market at a very favourable time—at a time when a market in South Africa appears to be open to us. The shortness caused in Australia by the absence of New Zealadd produce will tax their resources and prevent the Federal States competing with us. Those who have come back from South Africa agree that it will be very many years before South Africa can supply its own wants, and no time should be lost to secure a firm footing for our products there. No doubt this will cost money, but in our opinion a liberal subsidy to a line of steamers would be a splendid investment for the colony. At present the trouble is the absence of return freights, consequently freights are higher than they should be. We are informed by returned troopers that South Africa possesses large quantities of timber very suitable for railway bridges and sleepers. Why not procure hardwood timber from there for a bick loading it stead of getting it fiom Australia? Any quantity of native labour can be got, and the sleepers, etc., probably placed on board ship as cheaply as in Australia, while the freight would go in reduction of the Government subsidy. The matter is certainly worth inquiry at the hands of the Minister for Railways