OUR CANADIAN LETTER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 200, 22 August 1904, Page 8

OUR CANADIAN LETTER.

4Fro__-Our Canadian Correspondent) VANCOUVER (8.C.), July 22. THE SALMON FISHERIES. Australia and New Zealand—the latter particularly—are inquiring about British Colunsbra salmon. The preferential tariff relations existing between Canada and New Zealand appear likely to kill the United States * salmon market in Sed&on land in favour of Canada. As the canned salmon which goes to the Antipodes ia in any event chiefly FTaser Rives fish—caught in American waters by Americans—will be only getting what is her own. A New Zealand salmon buyer is at present on the coast, and is about to make a number of contracts with local cannerymen. Hitherto he has done all his» trading with American firms, but the preferential tariff sent h»«n this way. Large quantities of salmon have hitherto been sent from Puget Sound to New Zealand; this province ought to be the source of supply in the future. New Zealand is a market practically unknown to local canners i_ the past. Australia has, however, been a buyer on a small scale. Last year ten thousand cases were sent there from Vancouver. Possibly some of this found its way to New Zealand, but there has been no direct trade to speak of hith? erto. Uncle Sam cut Canada »ut. but the preferential tariff will change that. It locks, too, as though Australia wants more salmon this year than last. Already Robert Ward and Co., one of the principal exporting firms here, nave contracted to ship ten thousand cases of this season's pack "down under." These are all to be what are called "tails," and the price is six dollars and sixty cents a case, an advance on last year's prices. The salmon fishery season haj just, started here. It only lasts for a couple of months or so. fn that short space millions of salmon are put up in British Columbia and on Puget Sound. SETTLERS FROM NEW ZEALAND. Nearly every boat from Australia and New Zealand brings settlers from the south who have been attracted by what may be called the Canadian "immigration boom." Mr J. R. Gray, of Auckland, Xew Zealand, brought his f*mi l 7 on the lC't jteamer. "A great scope for industry and a nearer point to the Home market," was his brief reply when asked why he and his three boys had ; forsaken Auckland, which Canadian travellers describe as so promising a town. The Crays have decided to take up some new calling in British Columbia, probably mining. "The prospects of this country are enthusiastically spoken of in New Zealand." he added, "and we have come over expecting great things." Many a man who came here ten years ago M'ith ihe same expectations as Mr Cray has little else but them yet. It is no easier to get along in Vancouver than Sydney or Auckland. The.c is no royal roaj to success. Speaking of the 2\>w Zealand preferential tarfT'.Mr Ciay said he had been told that United States wholesale houses were resorting to having their goods repacked in a Canadian port in order to escape the duties. "But," he concluded, "that little scheme won't work, foF tlie Act emphatically states that the preferred imports must be directly the pr-duction of Great Britain or her colonies. The tariff is expected to be an immense boon to Canadian trade."