TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 79, 30 September 1905, Page 5

TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA.

STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. [1)Y TEJEGIUPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.! CHRISTCHURCH, 29th, September. The Premier made some important remarks to-day in reply to a deputation which urged on him the desirableness of continuing the South African subsidised steam service. Tho deputation included Mr. Gilbeit Andeison (filanager of the Christchurch Meat Company) and Mr. J. P. Newman (Manager of the Farmers' Co-operative Association, Timaru). In answering the arguments that the service should be continued, Mr. Seddon expressed surprise that action had not been taken sooner. It was already some time since the announcement concerning the service had been made. Ministers really felt on the question just as the deputation did. They felt it would be a great loss if tho service were lo be abandoned after tho investment that had been made so long as there was any prospect at all of recovery. The representations made by the deputation constituted tho first movo that had been made on behalf of those interested in the service. As they knew, farmers were very slow to move ; some one had to do tho thing for them, and sometimes the thanks accorded was to be adversely criticised. If there was a glut on the market they wouuld be looking for help. He thought the Farmers' Union and those connected with it should take the question up. Ministers were very much surprised at the apathy shown. Persona.ly he did not like- the idea of losing the service after having established a trade connection. Tho more markets they had the better. It would indeed seem that in discontinuing tha service they were going back. From a business standpoint he could say that tho company had not profited by the service ; he thought they had been' at a lO3S. As they had not given any indication of their desire to continuo tho contract th« Government had not up to the present lime discussed with them the icnowal of the contract or suggested entering into a new one under ii'esli conditions. If the monthly service was not continued, then a bi-monthly service might be arranged. (Hear, hear.) The farmers ha thonght would yet come to realise the position. There would assuredly be an increased market fiir New Zealand's produce. Sheep and cattle were increasing. The poultry industry had assumed large proportions o£ late, and there was at present ti very fair outlook for it. They should remember that a number of those who had gowe in for tho industry had been induced to do so because South Africa was one of the chief markets. If the subsidised service was not continued it would be a serious thing for many who had embarked in poultry raising. The opening up of tho South African markets had resulted in increased prices for produce, and if it wm cast aside there was a possibility of prices receding. Ho did not care about going back. Tho history of Hho past showed that once a trade connection was established," though it suffered vicissitudes at first, it came out all right in the long run, and paid eventually. He thought the South African sen-ice should go on —(Hear, hear) — and ho wns prepared to make an attempt to continue it. (Hear, hear.) He was satisfied that if the South African service was discontinued, there would in a month or two he a howl. He would ask Sir Joseph Ward to commnnicalo with the company, and see if there was a possibility of continuing the service.

Mr. S. F. Andeison, Manager oi the Government vineyard 'at To MaU, Hankes Bay, lias been appointed Manager of the Government experimental farm at Wacrenga. He will be succeeded bj- Mr. Ellis, late Manager of one of the New South Wales Government viticulture^ fetation*.