A VISITOR FROM CANADA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 14169, 18 September 1906, Page 8

A VISITOR FROM CANADA.

Mr T. H. Race, who arrived in Christchurch on Saturday, is to take charge, associated with Mr Burns, of toe Canadian. Court at the Exhibition. Last evening Mr Race, who is a keen hortionlturalist, when interviewed by a “Lyttelton. Times” reporter, waxed enthusiastic over the colony as a ground for, growing roses, in tho production of which he has taken great interest. He said that New Zealanders would do well to turn their attention to fruit growing. The climate was, ho thought, peculiarly suited to tho cultivation of apples, and he was much surprised to see how little of this popular fruit was grown. “ We are hero,” he said, “ to compete with Uncle Sam, and wo hope to bo able to show you a few lines that will illustrate what Canada can do' in certain, directions.” Mr Race touched, in the course of conversation, upon the question of tho “ All Red Line,” and expressed the opinion that Western Canada was strongly in favour of tho establishment of an all-red communication between Australasia and Britain. In fact, circumstances were so far favourable that-a quiet discussion of tho pros and cons between the three parties most concerned —Britain, Canada and Australasia-—would probably result in an early agreement. In the furtherance of this object Mr Race is himself taking an active part. Regarding the chances of success of a reciprocal treaty between New Zealand and Canada, such a treaty would, Mr Race thought, bo advantageous in some ways. For instance, Canada would willingly absorb New Zealand wool, mutton and flax, among other products, and in return would supply hard wheat of the best quality for blending in bread-making, lumber of acceptable quality, paper pulp, machinery and other commodities. Speaking of wool, Mr Race said that as .Canada could only produce coarse sorts, it was necessary to import finer classes for making up. The Dominion had largo hoisery manufactories, and these would gladly take New Zealand wools spun in New Zealand, instead of as they now do, New Zealand wools spun in England. 1 In regard to mutton, there was a { good deal grown in tho eastern regions, but in the west it was a luxury. It

would bo cheaper to Bend Zealand mutton to the western and north-western territory of Canada than to rail sheep from eastern Canada, and there was no comparison between the mutton of this colony and that grown in Canada. The Canadian mutton; was of • heavier and much less delicate quality.