TRADE WITH SWEDEN.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13011, 13 January 1908, Page 9

TRADE WITH SWEDEN.

* POSSIBILITIES OF THE FUTURE.

INTERVIEW WITH THE CHIEF CONSUL.

The probability of a great expansion of trade between Sweden and Australasia was clearly set out by Count Morner, Chief Consul for Sweden in Australasia and th© Islands, in the course of an interview with a "New Zealand Herald" representative last week. Ho stated that on© of th© reasons why he was sent here was that tho trade relations between Australasia and Sweden are quit© astonishing—fr a greater in importance than most people suppose. Statistics did not show this because, hitherto, the trade had been indirect, through London or Hamburg. Actual export figures wero consequently, not shown in th© returns. For example, Sweden was buying a million pounds' worth of wool per year, most of which cam© from Australia, whereas the statistics only accounted for some thousands of pounds worth. Now, however, Sweden had opened a direct line of steamers from Gotheiirburg to Sydney. Every six weeks a 73UU ton steamer was going from on© of the ports named to the other. Tho second steamer in th© mew service was now expected in {Sydney. By this lino re-loading would bo unnecessary, and Swedish p.roduco would be cheaper here, and Australasian produce cheaper in Sweden. Count Morner went on to cay that the Swedish exports to Sydney wer© so big tliat whett the first of tin© steamers referred to teft 20,000 tons of freight were offered. On th© return trip, however, it was found hardly possible to get a load for the vessel. His object was to now work for a direct export trade from Australia and New Zealand to Sweden* for th© benefit of all three countries. He mentioned that by the new line a limited number; of passengers can bo taken to England at a cost of only £20. Count Morner takes a special interest in the Swedish residents here. He thought they numbered in Australia and Now Zealand about 10,000. Amongst them there were, he said, i<emarkably few women—only about two per 1000. The greatest percentage of all Swedish settlers in Australasia were originally sailors. With some pride the Chief Consul pointed to th© fact that of the few Swedish women in Australia, two at least had gained prominence, namely Mrs Molynoux Parkes, credited with being one of the best political speakers in Sydney; and Madame Agnes Jnnson, now a leading musical light irt Melbourne. What gate Count Morner particular pleasure was to find that his compatriots here were well-respected and looked upon as desirable settlers. The authorities wer© anxious to get more Of them to settle here, "but naturally," he remarked, *'\ve use our own people, tve need thorn, and do not encourage thefn to emigrate. '' He was told there were some Swedish settlements in New Zealand, and intended seeking them but. The Bwediah Consul has formed a gbod irnpresaioh of Auckland. Ho expressed astonishment at the high standard of art he has found pn visits to various local studios. This, he P/dded, was his sevenui consular post, but ho had experienced the greatest pleasure over the extreme courtesy shown him in Australia and New Zealand. He bad not, he declared, been half an hour in Auckland before he got pi oof of the politeness of the New Zealand authorities. Count Morner is th© author of several boohs, including. novels and personal impressions of different lands. His last publication dealt with Turkey, a}r)<|:h c is at present engaged. Upon a Austrajia and New Zealand, tsMfek oneof hfs works is about to be published in serial forih in an Australian' weekly paper. Being a barrister by profession, he also takes a keen interest iU OUr legislation. He remarked upon the up-to-dateness Of our laws in contrast with what he termed the antiquity 01. much of Our Court procedure.