The Premier at Dunedin.
I may tell you that the recent rise in the price of sheep mpans that the capital -\alue of sheep in this colony has been increased by four million pounds stoilmg. It almost appears a startling s>tj.temont to make, but when you taks into consideration that we have 20,000,000 sheep in the colony you will know that I am within the correct estimato when I make that estimate; and seeing what they have suffered in the past, seeing what heavy losses were entailed upon them through the snow two years ago, I must say that prosperity will dawn upon those engaged in pastoral pursuits, and no one will be more pleased than myself to know that their time has come. And, ladies and gentleman, I claim no ciccht for it. "When 1 was down hero before the harvest a gentleman said to mo: "Youara a lucky man, Seddon. Here is a most bountitul harvest. Here is wheat land yielding 60 bushels to the acie. If you can only gst an increase in the price of wool ; if there is an inciease in the price of mutton our families will be hapyy and prosperous and contented." I said, " Jast leava it to me." — (Laughter). Well, I am not lesponsible for what has led to it, but no one can deny that it has eventuated. — (Applause). You will have noticed, no doubt, tha'j only the other day communications veiQ sent to sea whether there was a chance of extending oui markets to th<3 Cape of Good Hope. It is welJ known that Now Zealand butter and cheese aie sent from here to London, and then from London are transhipped to the Cape. Now an offer ha>> been made by a firm to run a steamer once a month for the purpose of taking produce from Now Zealand to the Cape ol Good Hope, and to ports furfchei on. T'is terms upon which th's oEun i<j mnda are in my opinion most favourable. I think they are -;jd per lb for produce that goes into the I lcfugorating chamber and 40s per ton for other freight, and I can say that the amou n involved in obtaining the service is a triila compared with the great advantage that would b3 confeired upon New Zealand. The Govjemm^nt ha\e sent communications on the subject, to the various clumbers of oommjice, to the firing, and co operative coiupaiips that are likely to bo e\pn> toia, and if we combine, in lny opinion we can giv<s the requisite freight aud obtJiia the service without the colony being called upon to piy ono single poiiny piece in respect of the guarantee to be given — (Applause). I would hke to see the producei3 join with the expoiters in fiudm^ the amo'int of pioduco required. Let us make the attempt, and I do not think we shall fail, because wo never do fail ; we do not ivallv know wh-tt the woid ' failure' me-uis, and theie n-onld in my opinion, bu no failure if v.'d made this \cntuie. I hopa that the Chambbn, oi Gomhieica. tlie viompimias and the producers v/Jl woik baud m hai.'d w<th the Government, and let us have a> stoambr once a inoutli trading fi-bm New Zjaknd to the Cupe 'of Good Hope.
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Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume II, Issue 7, 13 June 1899, Page 3
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550The Premier at Dunedin. Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume II, Issue 7, 13 June 1899, Page 3
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