The Hastings Standard Published Daily. THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1896. PRACTICAL BUSINESS EXPERTS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 87, 6 August 1896, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1896. PRACTICAL BUSINESS EXPERTS.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

The member for "Waimea - Sounds, MiMills, has a very useful question on the Order Paper. Useful to the extent of pointing out to the Government one of great needs of the country. Mr Mills is to ask the Government " "Whether they will consider the advisability of appointing say four practical business experts to be placed in the AgentGeneral's Department in London whose duty shall be to visit all the large centres of commerce both in the United Kingdom and on the Continent so as to bring under the notice of wealthy firms the valuable products Ave have for export, and -thus open out other arteries of trade for this colony." The suggestion encased in this question is commendable. It is following in the footsteps of the paragon colony, Victoria, where the Government has taken some very decided steps to find new markets and extend those already existing. Early in the year the Victorian Government sent Home a gentleman of varied business experience and with a thorough knowledge of the many productive capabilities of the Australian Colonies. One of the first effects of this appointment was the arrival in Melbourne a few weeks ago of the accredited agents of a powerful English co-operative society, and their visit promisesrto be of inestimable value not only to Victoria but to all the other colonies. Mr Mills's suggestion practically amounts to the appointment of Government " drummers " to boom the products of New Zealand. It must be remembered that the European countries and America, through their Consuls and Vice-Consuls located at all the principal centres throughout the habitable world, are kept in touch with the commercial requirements and possibilities of all foreign countries. Some of these consular reports are extremely valuable, and Great Britain may be said to have built up her immense foreign trade through her consular agency. The colonies are not so fortunately circumstanced. The Agent-General, though a necessary adornment, is of no commercial use. To eat dinners and make pretty post-

prandial speeches and perform sundry official acts are all that we require from the Agent-General. But the time has arrived when, if we cannot have Consuls, we should certainly have commercial travellers. The Government may be trusted to give favorable attention to the appeal of the Government Whip, at anyrate we hope so. We must keep pace with the needs of the times.