PUNTA ARENAS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15923, 8 May 1912, Page 2

PUNTA ARENAS.

MARKET FOR DOMINION STOCK AND MANUFACTURES. > . [Per Press Association.] PALMERSTON N., May 7. At a meeting of the Romney Marsh Sheepbreeders’ Association a very interesting letter was read from Mr H. L. Reynard, Punta Arenas, Straits of Magellan, Patagonia. Mr Reynard said that Punta Arenas presented a line field for the sale of New Zealand Romney sheep. There was only one thing which militated against the. satisfaction of a large demand, . and that was the. lack of direct steam communication between New Zealand' and Punta Arenas. All New Zealand products bad to be taken to Monte Video and tiierO transhipped over 3000 miles at a heavy cost iu freight. As the Straits cf Magellan were now well lighted there was no reason why steamers should not call there. So far, all efforts made at that end had failed to induce them to do so. He hoped efforts would bo made at this end to bring pressure to boar. In spite of nil these drawbacks, New Zealand sheep had been imported there, hut only by wealthy i inner?. They considered New Zealand Romneys better chan the English, because greater attention has been given to the fleece, and it was only in recent years Kentish farmers had paid proper attention to this important matter. There was a good demand for draught horses, cattle, thoroughbred horses, well-bred pigs, poultry, grain, grass and other seeds, flour, potatoes, butter, cheeso and fruit, fresh and preserved. In manufactures there was a demand for harness, saddlery, waggons and agricultural implements, which New Zealand could supply. The Straits of Magellan should be a highway for a very considerable number of largo steamships. Punta Arenas was. a town of 10,000 inhabitants and a distributing centre over a large region. It was decided that the Association should approach the different shipping companies and the Government., ashing that a special rate should bo granted for shipping stud stoolc from New Zealand to southern ports 'f South America during August, September end October, and the Government to bo asked to co-operate. The i?nmo Minister is to be asked to receive a deputation.