OBSERVATIONS ABROAD.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 78, 26 December 1907, Page 4

OBSERVATIONS ABROAD.

Mr. John Duthie, who returned on Tuesday last from an extended tour of the 'Old World, holds a position in the commercial ranks of New Zealand which naturally makes his observations and impressions of the countries through which he has passed of more than ordinary interest. By habit cautious, and by training and experience skilled to read the movements of the commercial and financial barometers,

his views are bound to command respect. In the interview with him, which we publish elsewhere, and to which we would direct the attention of our renders, three features of special interest should be noted. Mr. Duthie first of all has a good word to say for the British manufacturer in his own particular line of business. The custom is to decry the methods of the British manufacturer, but Mr. Duthie, who has rather the reputation of a keen critic somewhat. hard to please, was able to discover marked signs of progress, which must' be pleasing to all who recognise the keenness of the struggle for supremacy in the world's trade and commerce. Concerning Japan, he throws light on the recent cable messages announcing curtailment in expenditure on the Mikado's naval forces, and also on the unpleasant _ suggestion contained in the news published to-day of threatened competition from Japan in India and in the South Seas. Perhaps the most, interesting of his views, however, are those in regard to the .Vancouver mail service. Mr. Duthie is not accustomed to mincing matters, and lie has downright opinions on this service which rudely clash with the attractive but extravagant proposals of the Premier. Both recognise the value of the service, but the difference lies in the natures of the two men—tlie : one practical, striving for the attainable; the'other, over-sanguine, led on by the alluring possibilities of the unattainable. We should all be gratified to witness the consummation- of Sir Joseph Ward's ambitious All-Red service, provided the cost'were' not too excessive'; but wo are much inoi'e likely to find ourselves thankful for the-service which Mr. Duthie considers to be within our means. , ' 1 ■ ■ ■ -