TRADE OUTLOOK.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2971, 30 July 1891, Page 2

TRADE OUTLOOK.

(»Y IiI.ECTKKJ TIiLKURAI'II—CC)i'VKIi;iiT). SrnNKY, July 2K Thk depression in the intercolonial shipping trade is causing anxiety among owneis and investors of capital. Jieforo the last strike severe depression was felt, by which losse-i were occasioned, and that strike still further accentuated Uio depiYs-ion. There has been no improvement since, and the future prospects aru not luiglit. It is an open secret that serious consideration is being given to ;i proposal to lay tip a number of steamers, and regulate the trade accordingly—running say, one steamer instead of two or three, as at present. The companies are bitterly realising that the addition of more steameis to their fleets, with the view of obtaining a larger proportion of trade, has recoiled on themselves, there being no corresponding increase. Kver since each colony has been served with direct steamers there has been ii creeping falling oil' of interchange of merchandise) between oue port and aiuther. Attention is being given to a scheme of otfijiisive and defensive alliance in ordsi to protect shareholders and investors from losses caused by individual con.pauies ;i>mpetinc in any trade outside its own, the iifea being that if any line is subjected to opposition the alliance will make common cause against its opponents, deeming that such a course is warranted by the present sacrifice of capital. The amalgamation of two Newcastle companies is almost completed, aad arrangements are a'so pending for the amalgamation of the John See lines of steamers and the Clarence River Company. Notwithstanding the dullness of trade, it is understood that efforts are bein , ? made to form a company to entor the Xow Zealand trade.