PATAGONIA

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 204, 8 May 1912, Page 5

PATAGONIA

MAEKET FOR NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Palmerston N., Laet Night. At a meeting of the Romney Marsh Sheep Breeders' Association a very interesting letter was <read from Mr. H L, Reynard, Punta Arenas. Mr. Reynard said the Punta Arenas presented a fine field for the sale of New Zealand Romney sheep. There was only one thing which militated against the satisfaction of a large demand, that was the lack of direct steam communication between New Zealand and Punta Arenas. All New Zealand products had to be taken to Monte Video, and there transhipped over 3000 miles at a heavy cost in freight, etc. As the Straits of Magellan were now well-lighted, there was no reason why steamers should not call there. So far all efforts made at that end had failed to induce them to do so. He hoped that efforts would be made at this l end to bring pressure to bear. In spite of all these drawbacks New Zealand sheep had been imported there, but only by wealthy farmers. They considered New Zealand Romneys better than the English, because greater attention had been given to the fleece, and it was only in recent years that Kentish farmers had paid proper attention to this important matter. There was also a good demand for draught horses, cattle, thoroughbred, horses, well-bred pigs, poultry, grain, grass and other seeds, flour, potatoes, butter, cheese and fruit (fresh and preserved), harness, saddlery, waggons, and agriculture implements, which New Zealand could supply. The Straits of Magellan should be a highway for a very considerable number of large steamships. Punta Arenas was a town of 10,000 inhabitants, and a distributing centre over a large region. It was decided that the association should approach the different shipping companies and the Government, asking that a special rate be granted for shipping stud stock from New Zealand to the south ports of South America during August, September, and October, and that the Government should be asked to co-oper-ate. The Prime Minister is to be asked to receive a deputation.