The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1905. OUR INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7912, 30 August 1905, Page 2

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1905. OUR INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE.

To the intelligent and thoughtfulminded portion of tho community, any information which hears on the state of our industries and commerce is always welcome, as thereby they can watch, as it were, tho pulsations of that life on which the prosperity of the colony depends. It is therefore with considerabh pleasure that the fourth annual statement to Parliament of the Minister in charge of that important branch of the country's business (Sir J. (}. Ward) will be rend. We are quite in accord with the Minister's statement that the subject is one which hns an interest to those far hey mid the confines of | New Zealand. " and that facts relating to the products of the colony receive special attention from the consuming public of the world. This is flattering testimony , to this colony's resources, and proves that small as is the area of New Zealand she has become a (actor in the world's economics. JCa- , turally. as a producing country, the question of transport occupies a prominent position in the statement, and though the Minister is hardly as up-to-date in his views on this matter as could he desired, still it is evident that the Covernment is keen ly alive to the situation, and by inference may be trusted to use every effort towards securing low freight ami direct service to our chief markets. Sir Joseph states that the present contract for freight of dairy produce is to be determined, and o new contract is being negotiated nt reduced rates. Sir Joseph urges that careful supervision should be kepi by the Department over all developments in regard to freights, and when the interests of the colony's producers are being inimically affected it should speak with no uncertain sound, and if necessary the colony should step in and insure thai freights be maintained at reasonable rates. The present contract for the South African service terminates in October next, and no intimation has yet been received from the contractors as lo whether it is their intention to continue the service after that time. Its discontinuance, will be a heavy loss lo the producers of the colony, and to those enterprising traders who have built up trade with South Africa by this opportunity, and it is to be hoped the Government will be able to make ments for carrying it on. With regard to the trade with the West Coast ports of Britain, ive have already, on more than one occasion, urged the importance of direct and cheap transport, and it. is satisfactory to have corroboration from the Minister's statement as to the great development which has taken place in this trade. The only point on which we are at issue with the Minister on this subject is that while he considers, as far as he can judge, that the time Is not far off when the trade promoted by this service will assume such dimensions as will warrant the contractors supplying a direct service, and' not at present via South Africa, we are convinced, from fhe assurances of those best qualified to express an opinion on the matter, that the time has already arrived for a direct service with Manchester and other western ports. Possibly, Sir Joseph Wnnl may nrrlve at the same conclusion after being enlightened by the arguments which Mr McConechfe enn lay before him. Should this service be started. Sir Joseph looks forward with confidence to a still grenter increase in the business now being rionf The contractors, in response to h.s representations, signified their intention to reduce the freight on butter from »<1 to Jd per IT>. If, in addition, direct sailings were provided, there seems every probability of n very large share of the export of duiry produce finding its way out of the colony at greater reduced rates than has hitherto prevailed. Should the reductions In huiur freights become general, it would mean a saving of freight on the colony's output of butter to the extent of £fiO,00() per annum, and tho placing of the colony on the same footing regarding freight on butler as Is enjoyed by our Australian neighbours. The Minister is fully alive to the possibilities of trade in the East, and lie urges the necessity, as soon as the present excitement in the East Is over, of making overtures to one or more of the shipping companies (lading there to extend their services to (his colony. "Once we have a line of steamers connecting with the markets of Japan. Chine, and Manila." hi' says. "T am convinced we shall jiril a satisfactory outlet for n portion of almost .-verything this rolonv produces." Kegarding the failure or Hie attempt to bring the Vancouver service to New Zealand, the Minister iexpresses the opinion Hint some viIgoroiis policy should be adopted with the object, of promoting trade and interchange with Canada. lie has no hesitation in stating that with a direct steam cargo service to and from I'nnndn and reasonable freiirhts a very large Increase of, trade both wa.\ s would be effected. The question is one that has an important bearing on the colony's trade, and in view of competition by the producers of other countries who ore more favourubly situated a*; regards distance from the chief markets there is no room for hesitation |or delay in furthering the best interests of the producers of Xew Zealand.