TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 92, 16 October 1905, Page 5

TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA.

FACILITIES AT HULL. INSPECTION BY AGENTS-GENERAL. [press association.l LONDON, 14th October. All the Australian Agents-General paid a two-days' visit to Hull, on the invitation of the Hull Chamber of Commerce, | and inspected the docks and cold stores. They conferred with the Chamber 06 Commerce, leading importers, exporters, and railway officials, and discussed the question of direct trade with Australia. 1 The Agents-General were greatly impressed, especially at the lowness of tho charges and the great facilities for distribution of produce to manufacturing centres with a population of ten millions, where practically little Australian produce line hitherto been sent. Importers suggested that the Commonwealth ought to subsidise a direct line of steamers. , The Agents-General promised to advise their Governments, and to do all in their power to assist the establishment oil trade, though they pointed out that the question of subsidies must be left entirely to the Governments. Speaking at a Chamber of Commerce banquet, Mr. Taverner (Victoria) suggested that Hull should establish wool and fruit exchanges. Tho port was one which Australia ought to tap. Tho best way would be for the Commonwealth to subsidise a line of steamers. He would unhesitatingly advise the Victorian Government to act on these lines. Mr. Coghlan (New South Wales) declared that the cheapness of the charges for manufacturing centres within reach of Hull greatly favoured Hull in comparison with London. The extra charges paid in London over those nt Hull were equivalent to an export duty of 6 per cent, all round. He suggested tho establishment of wool sales at Yorkshire, intermediate between the London shlcj.