STRENGTHENING OUR EXPORT TRADE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10862, 11 January 1901, Page 4

STRENGTHENING OUR EXPORT TRADE.

An aspect of our export trade of much importance was reviewed by Mr. A. S. Paterson, of DunediD, at the Chamber of Commerce Conference yesterday. While the trade of the colony lias been expanding in volume so satisfactorily, it has been mainly confined to one market, or, in other words, we have placed all our eggs in the one basket. This condition of things, Mr. Paterson very properly thinks, should be remedied. Tbe products we have to export from New Zealand suit the wants of many countries, and if we fail to get into trade relations with all these countries, we lose part of our legitimate field of enterprise, and something of our proper trade development. If a country's trade is spread over all the markets open to her, it will be built upon the broadest possible foundations, and thus will be less liable to suffer from disturbing' causes, whether political or economic. The following trade statistics, quoted, show that at least two of the Australian colonies have been fully alive to this consideration: — New N.S. VieZealand Wales toria To United Kingdom 79 p.c. 31J p.c. 30J p.c. To Australasia ... 14 „ 33_ „ 28 „ To South Africa ... .8 „ 2 „ U „ To other British Possessions ... .2 „ 3. „ 20 „ To Foreign Countries 6 „ 20. „ 20 „ These figures prove conclusively that we are far behind other colonies mentioned in developing a widely spread trade. This, no doubt, is due in part to the fact that Australia has advantages over this colony in having regular and direct steamer connection with parts of the world with which this colony is not in touch, except by trans__.pHM.nt. Por irjstanei, Australia has direot communication with Manila, China, Japan, Germany, Prance, and other foreign

countries wliich we have not, and also has a frequent service to South Africa. While some of -these markets may not yet be open to us, owing to the cost of transhipment, there is no good treason why we should not endeavour to secure a footing in them. South Africa, for instance, offers a field for exploitation. In 1899 our exports to that part of the world totalled only £88,985, whereas Victoria's amounted in value to £301,582, and those of New South Waks to even more, namely, £473.571. Mr. Paterson points out in his paper that the quantity of (frozen meat imported by South Africa in the year _n_r.tione<_ came to no less than 40 per cent of the actual quantity exported from this colony during that year. This shows that -there i 3 already a good market there for this class of export, and, moreover, the price received for frozen meat is said to be substantially higher titan in London. It has already been shown that in order to open up trade between this colony and South Africa it will be necessary for the Government to subsidise a line of suitable steamers, which will give a regular .ervice. This seems inevitable at the outset, but there is the hope of a sufficient development of trade in the future to make the service a .payable one without Government assistance. Mr. Ward, appears to have this matter in hand, and we hape soon to learn that a satisfactory tender from one of the shipping companies has been received and accepted. But the matter should not stop at that. The Government have promised to make the Department of Industries and Commerce a live one, and are even now considering applications for the position of sjcretary. If a good appointment is made tho Department should be able to do excellent work in advising exporters as to the markets open to them, and in collecting and disseminating information of a kind calcuItted to assist in the expansion of the industries and commerce of the colony. With such assistance and the possibility of new steamer services to other countries, such as suggested by Mr. Paterson, tiie export trade of th* colony should gradually find its way in larger volume to other markets in addition to London, and so be materially strengthened.