INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 201, 23 August 1904, Page 3

INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE.

PARLIAMENTARY REPORT. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Monday. The third annual report of the Industries and Comrierce Department was laid on the table of tne House this afternoon. It says that the establishment of a South African Agency has been of advantage to the colony, but would have been more so if it had not been for the universal depression which is at present prevailing all over that eoutnry. The initiation of a steam service to and from the West Coast ports of the United Kingdom has opened new markets at Cardiff, Bristol, and Glasgow. The possibilities of trade in these «uaikets,. especially if the port of Manchester is added, which is very probabie. are nrieh greater than is g?iierally thought, and, once having been established, the steam service "should be followed up vigorously with such steps as are considered necessary to obtain the fullest benefits from the additional markets with which the co-lonv is now placed in touch. The report .lraws attention To the net-ess it, v of cultivating a trade with the Far East and to the desirability of entering, into negotiations with one of the three wellequipperl lines of steamers running between Australia and .Japan via Manila and Hong Kong, with a view to an extension of the service to one or two ports in this colony. New Zeala-nd would then be brought within the Eastern circle of the tourists' and travellers' route, which at present does not extend beyond Australia. The present system of independent action amongst the butter factories in disposing of their outputs is stated to be not satisfactory, and is not achieving anything like the best possible results. Some factories sell on the spot, some consign for sale and returns, and others sell c.i.f., with the result that the output of the cqloi.y gets into so many hands that concerted action is impossible. Competition amongst the holders and consignees in the United Kingdom takes place, which brings about the lowering of prices, and other unsatisfactory conditions; prevail. The results all fall upon the producer in the colony. If arrangements could be made by which the whole butter output of the colony is concentrated for sale through one channel it would be a great step forward, and it. is in the interests of the producers to bring about tkis desirable coriition of affairs. i

for the establishment of a steam cargo service between Canada and this colony are in progress, but so far have not resulted in anything tangible. The subsidy proposed by the N<?w Zealand Government (says the Minister) is a small amount compared to what is required To obtain a suitable service. The Canadian Government have been approached with a view to find the balance of subsidy required, and as the present preferential tariff, if assisted by good opportunities of direct shipment, will greatly develop trade between Canada and New Zealand, there is reason to hope that the Canadian Government will join in finding the subsidy required to establish a valuable connection which would be of immense service to the fuffcher development of the trade of both countries.

TVe expenses in carrying on the: head office for the year ended March 31 last amounted *o £ 1240, of the South African Agency to £ 1044, anri of the Produce Commissioner in London to £j254. In the latter 4 .tern is the cose of Mr H. C. Cameron's visit to the colony to give evidence before the Parliamentary Committee appointed to report on the frozen meat trade.