AN IMPORTANT MOVEMENT

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXII, 10 May 1912, Page 6

AN IMPORTANT MOVEMENT

DEMAND FOR NEW ZEALAND

PRODUCTS

At a Roniney Marsh Breeders' Association meeting at Palmerstori North (reports the Manawatu Times), a letter was read from Mr Henry L. Reynard, Punta Arenas, Straits of Magellan, who said: ' 'This country presents a fine field for the sale of your sheep, and there is only one thing that militates against the satisfaction of a larger demand for New Zealand kred sheep, and that is the lack of direct steam communication between New Zealand and this port. At present all New Zealand products for here have to be taken to Monte Video and there transhipped. This entails very heavy expense, and, in case of livestock, considerable risk. The delay caused by the extra distance of over 3,000 miles, meaning also freight, food, and attendance, besides the great expense and risk of transhipping, causes intending purchasers to hold back. A good number of New Zealand sheep have, in spite of all the drawbacks mentioned, been imported, but "the prices- which these drawbacks entail prohibit all but the wealthiest farmers from entering into the business. New Zealand sheep are preferred to English-bred sheep on account of the greater attention which has been given to the fleece. In fact, it is only in recent years that the Kentish farmers have paid proper attention to this important matter. I have no doubt that manj of your members ai-e breeders of other stock besides sheep. Here there is a good demand for draught horses, light and heavy, cattle, thoroughbred horses, pigs (well-bred), and poultry. Other farm products in great request are wheat, barley, and malt, oats, grass seeds, other * seeds, flour, potatoes, butter, cheese, fruit (freph and preserved). In manufactured articles the demand is great for leather, harness, saddlery, carts, waggons, or drays, and some agricultural implements New Zealand can supply, and we here in Patagonia want all the above, but we cannot induce the shipping companies to call here- You at your side may be able to bring pressure to bear on thorn and to induce them to make this a port of call." The writer goes on to refer to the difficulties encountered in getting outside communication, and points out that now the Straits of Magellan are well lighted, and a great highway for a" very considerable number of large steamships. Punta Arenas is a prosperous town of 12,000 inhabitants, and the distributing centre for a vast region, which "includes half Pai,agonia. and the whole of Tierra Del Fuego. It has good banking and .commercial facilities with the rest of the world.

On the motion of Mr Ernest Short seconded by Mr J. W. Harding, Hawke's Bay. it was resolved to approach the different shipping companies and the New Zealand Government, askrnp; that a special rate be granted for stud stock from New Zealand to the southern ports of South America during August, Seotember, and October, and that the Government be asked to cooperate; that conies of Mr Reynard's letter be se^it to the shipping companies and the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.

Tt was further decided to ask the Prime Minister to receive a deputation on the subject.. and other associations are to be asked to join in it.