TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA

Evening Star, Issue 12625, 3 October 1905, Page 6

TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA

WHY THE SERVICE SHOULD CONTINUE. One of bur reporters had *n interview this morning with Mr W. M'Larty, M.L.A., Natal, who is just now in town in connection with tho purchase of machinery from the Burnside Iron Works. Our representative stated the position in regard to the possible difioontmuan'ce of the steamer service between this colony and South Africa, and asked Mr M'Larty what he thought of it, Mr M'Larty replied: " When I landed in New Zealand three weeks ago I beard 1 that there was a- probability of the service ceasing. Personally, I felt disappointed, and I took the opportunity of speaking to Mr Seddon when I saw him, aid. I fold him that I thought the service ought to be continued, because the possibilities of trade with New Zealand were very, large. We have depended on New Zealand for a largo proportion of our produce for many yeais—in fact, I have Taieri butter on my table every day in the year. At, one time ve had 'Australian fresh milk delivered at our doors for morning porridge. They sent it frozen in blocks. My reasons for thanking that you should not "give up this trade are these: For the past three years you have been battling against abnormally bad times in South Africa. The repatriation that wa.< going on did no more than secure ths pt«|'''' their inomes, and they have bad no surplus money to go in for the pnrchas" of stock. But "they eoon will have returned" to ihe normal conditions financially, and they will then be able to purchase sheep and oxen for the restocking of the farms throughout South Africa. Then, apart from the question of live stock trade, there is sure to be a considerable openhifr in frozen meat for some time. There is a feeling springing up there that South American meat should lw shut out and a preferential rate of duty given to Australia and New Zealand. Personally, I have been working for tins end, and your agent there—Mr Gow —who, I am pleased to say, is ever active and at all times alive to New Zealand's interests, haa Ijeen pushing to secure some preferential rate for New Zealand produce at the first opportunity. This may come about, if at all, curly in 1906, as the Customs Convention, under which aB the colonies are controlled, is down for revision by the united Conference of the four colonics interested — Transvaal, Free State. Cape, and Natal. It would be a mistake, after you have built up a certain connection during bad times, to withdraw your service and the opportunities you have given your farmers here, juet on "the eve of the coming prosperitv in South Africa. I read the other day "a criticism in the ' Weekly Press,' of Christchxuch, on the report of Mr Valder, the New South Wales Coramissioni.T in South Africa, It complimented him on the reports dealing with this very question of the tariffs; in fact, it gave all the credit to Mr VaWer of working tbe> movement up in South Africa, and at the same time discounted the efforts oi your own man, Mr Gow complaining that his reports woro not interesting and full. Now, personally, I kno wthat Air Gow took the most active part m interviewing the Governments on the tariff rates, because I introduced him to tho last two Premiers in Natal, and from inv own knowledge he is always active in iKilitica! circles attending to your interests. Without a direct service much inconvenience would bo at times caused to the public. Take, for instance, my own case m coming heiK to purchase- this plant, which 1 find suitable for our purpose". If the direct boats which aro now running were o(T 1 would have been under very much heavier expense, and delay in shipping to Wralia and transhipping there to the strainers running to Durban. Howcvor whether the service is continued or not, 1 have iust hit the last two boats m tune to ert niv service, for which 1 am grateful. -I mi"ht state that your politics in NewZealand are the topic of earnest study throughout South Africa, and :Natal Las irnitat«di and seems inclined to go further m the adoption of «ome of your bet* measures. Last «Uion they paewd a rwolution tor the- adoption .of a public Trustee Act on similar lines to the New Zealand lw.aml they have also under consideration arbitration and conciliation as applied to labor dis«i.*os Thev alio made an attempt last lekon to deal with tho land q«-tion by tiimnne m =ji afa*e»te<-. landlord tax. hut Sf to Ret it put through A general land tax which was proposed also failed•■The tea industry of >atal is one that of tea which is of excellent quality, and verv similar to the Indian teas and as ea, is admitted here free of duty from Bnu.h colonies your people might open up a trade in that article. ".,,., . n '• No doubt a great deal of interest will be token in your coming Exhibition Previous to my departure from Africa I heard that there was a probability of some Natal exhibits and a partv of iDiroential men comino- here on that occasion. The po.icy of Mr" Chamberlain, which is to draw the colonies . closer and have reciprocity, is much in favor in Africa, as m other colonies. In rav opinion it is the right one for us to pursue. We should never slacken the links that hold us together as an Empire Your produce is very much before the public there, ami the poultry industry ou"ht to be a. very good one. because fowls are not very abundant in Africa, and there is always a, tremendous demand for them, especially in Johannesburg. "Von pay as much as 2s 6d and os. 6d each for small fowls, and eggs are seldom under Is 9d and 2s a dozen—sometimes they run Up to 2s 6d and ,->s a dozen. " Tho local butter, which is made in the creamerv, is sold at an averago price of 2s per lb to the public. Wc can get your butter at 1» 6d a pound, and for most purposes it is just as good as the local article, altbongh it has travelled so far. There are only two creameries of ;iny importance oat there. One is the Nelsrust Creamery, which belongs to the Hon. Joseph Daynes. It is a private enterprise, which ho has carried out in the most effective manner. He has a first>c'.ass establishment, and sends all his produce into Durban. He delivers milk from door to door in his own carts, and has two magnificent refreshment rooms, where he dispenses milk and tea all day Ion"'. The other creamery is at Mooie River, up in the highlands of Natal —about 4.6Coft above sea level. The produce from this is all "is-poscd of in Pietermaritzburg, the capital. They also have a liuv refveMiment room, where people may dine, and where they retail their goods to the public. This, too. has been fairly successful. Until creameries become general throughout the colony, however, and until the buttermaking very largely increases, there is bound to be a very good market for New Zealand butter in Natal, and a very large market in Johannesburg." Keverting again to Mr (Sow's energies in New Zealand's behalf, Mr M'Larty said that he knew that gentleman had persuaded several families to leave South Africa and settle in New Zealand. One family were preparing to go from Bechuanaland when Mr M'Larty left on his present trip. Mr Gow is untiring in distributing the official literature and in giving all information. Mr M'Larty himself ia indebted to him for great assistance in his political work by the supply of useful information. Added to this. Mr Gow is a very popular man personally in Natal, and has thus considerable influence. v