TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 290, 6 December 1900, Page 2

TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA.

IMPOBTANT STATISTICS.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

A special meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon, to discuss the question of the further development of trade between New Zealand and South Africa. Mr. N. Reid occupied the chair.

The Chairman, in opening" the profeedings, referred to the declared intention of the lion. .1. G. Ward to invite tenders for a two years' service between five ports in New Zealand and a number of ports in South Africa. He quoted from a return compiled by himself showing1 the magnitude of the trade between Melbourne and South African ports —Capetown, Natal and Durban, during the month of October last, of which the principal items were as follows: Biscuits, 11,135 lbs; butter, 549,707 lbs; Durban, butter, 175,440 lbs; cheese, 1070 lbs; 120,----000 bushels chaff for Capetown; chaff, 333 tons; jams, 254,6701bs (for Capetown); 5800 ditto'for Natal; frozen mutton, 11,094 carcases for the Cape; and 6000 carcases for Durban; poultry, 430 crates, besides 34,700 bales hay to' Port Durban; and several shipments of other commodities. He also quoted the following- statistics of exports from Victoria to .South Africa for the nine months ending September, 1900, as compared with the corresponding period of 1899: For 1809, hams and bacon, 30,499 lbs; for 1900, 97.840 lbs. Frozen meats, 1899, 106,----099 lbs; 1900, 506,448 lbs. .Jams, 1809, 3301b5; 1900, 1,234,684 lbs. Preserved meats, 1899, 106.929 lbs; 1000, 506,448 lbs. Concentrated milk. 1899, 158,276 lbs; 1900, 181,696 lbs. The value of Victorian exports to South Africa, mainly consisting of bacon and hams, frozen meats, butter and cheese, etc., in JS9S was .£137,020, and in 1899 was £137,020; and in 1890 it had increased to .€313,721. Mr. D. J. Nathan moved, "That, this meeting cordially approves of ■. the proposal of the Government to invite tenders for a two years' steam service between New Zealand and the principal ports in South Africa, and that Wellington should be one of the ports of call." He said when this proposal was formerly made it was laughed at, but now the very people who had scouted it were most anxious to see the service established. In his opinion New Zealand had missed several advantages in connection with the trade to Western Australia and jSouth Africa. Speaking of the proposed subsidy, he pointed out that the Brit-i ish Government expended large sums of money every year in fostering- and protecting the country's commerce. He also referred to the growth of the trade of 'Frisco with Manila, Java, Alaska, etc. The shipping companies could not provide a steam service to the Cape without aid from the Government. Mr. Daws had assured him the other day that a prosperous trade could be opened up if a sufficient subsidy were given. Now that Mr. Ward had announced his intention to invite tenders for a two years' service, the Chamber should do all in iis power to assist him. The resolution was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Mr. Harold Bechamp moved that, in considering any tenders received'by the Government, the meeting respectfully suggests that preference should be given to any line of steamers tradiii"- under the British flag. He said it was gratifying that the Government had stepped in to promote what must develop into a large trade, of which there was no reason why this colony should not receive its fair share. Hitherto most .of the orders supplied from New Zealand came from Melbourne merchants, who could noi execute, the orders there. He thought the Government should establish a commercial bureau similar to that in Melbourne, The Cape consumers at present preferred low-priced goods of inferior quality, and they would need educating up to the use of a superior class of commodities. The resolution was carried unanimously. The Chairman added to his previous remarks that he had seen in the Melbourne' "Argus" recently an article praising the exertions of the Hon. J. G. Ward to lay on a steamer between New Zealand and South Africa, and expressing a hope that Melbourne would be a port of call. (Laughter.)

Captain Edwin adviser, for 24 hours from 9 a.m. tins day: Strong southeast to south and west winds, g-lass fall, tides good, indications for rain. The date to which tenders will be received for the purchase of the stock iii the assigned estate, qt John Iredale has "been ejctejjLd^t.W^^t^Q,