CANADA AND AMERICA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 185, 23 December 1912, Page 4

CANADA AND AMERICA.

PERIOD OF PROSPERITY. AUCKLAXDER'S IMPRESSIONS. After a hurried, yet pleasant trip of four months to the United States and Canada, Mr. G. W. S. Patterson returned to Auckland this week by the R.M.S. Makura. Seen by the Herald after his arrival, Mr. Patterson said that in the United States he found conditions particularly good, the country enjoying a period of wonderful prosperity. In both th« States and Canada the wheat crop had been phenomenal, a record being established. In the States it was a question how long the period of prosperity was going to last, though, peculiarly enbugh, the recent Presidential campaign had not afl'ected trade or commerce in the slightest, and the usual depression of the period was not noticed. Manv of the bigjjer men, however, were holding tight till the new Administration of the President-elect showed its hand, when 'it was anticipated by some that there might be a slight decline. Dr. Woodrow Wilson, President-elect, possessed the confidence of the people, and was regarded ns a level-headed man. His main difficulty would be in controlling his party at Washington. If he could do so, he would be a success as President. Discussing the trade existing between the United States and New Zealand. Mr. Patterson said that the American manufacturers wore just now so busy supplying home orders that thev had no time to look for an export trade. He had called on a great many manufacturers, and they all told him they could not entertain any idea of a foreign trade, owing to the prosperity of their own markets compelling them to work double shifts to keep up with the demand. Later on, he thought, when a slump did come along, a lot of trade would find its way to New Zealand. Tim same state of afTairs existed in Canada. America, like all the other nations, was experiencing an increase in the cost of living, continued Mr. Paterson. Meat, particularly, was increasing in price beyond all reason, and from what lie saw there might be a chance of the new Wilson Administration removing the duty against meat. If it did so, New Zealand would benefit more than any other country. The present mail arrangements between America and New Zealand were giving great satisfaction in America, and travellers were loud in their praise of the shipping arrangements.