THE PANAMA CANAL.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 266, 6 November 1905, Page 4

THE PANAMA CANAL.

ITS EFFECT ON NEW ZEALAND The following letter, signed by Mr J. K. Dolby, of Masterton, appeared in the New Zealand Times: —With reference to yonr article, " A Cjming Revolution," some figarea bearing on the probable diversion of trade routes likely to ba c-.nsed by the co-tipletion of ti-.o Panama Ca&ai, may oe of interest to y ur readers. They are taken from The Key of the Pacific, by Archibald Cii quhoun, and refer to the proposed Nic3-ras.ua Catsl route, but would be little affected by the change to Panama. The distances have been measured by the customary^ routes 'or sailing vessels and slow freight steamers, which d icoifi of t>-e trade. From the figures giveu, 2000 miles must be deducted for steam vessels, which take the route by the Straits of Mallejian, instead of rounding the Horn. I extract only fcho-« figures of rcost interest to New Zealand :— Aeaic, comparing the respective advantages of the Suez and Isthmus routes, we have :— Liverpool to— Via Kupz. Via Canal Monskong ... 9.810 13.783 Melbourne ... 11,350 12,748 N&w York to— Melbourne ... 14,920 10,000 Comparing the advantages of New Yoik and Liverpool. Via Suez Via Canal to to Liverpool New York Sinsapore ... 7,958 11.578 Hongkong ... 9,810 11,038 Yokohama ... 11,765 9 3fi3 Melbourne ... 11,350 10,000

The o figwes can hardly be considered to portend roach change* in the trade routes t<? and fr; m New Z-aland. The distance from New Z aland or Melb urne to Liverpool by the Straits of Magellan is less than by the Canal. The high rate which must be paid for passage through the Canal will tend to prevent cargo steamers using it, except when the eaviog in distance is vary gre^t. Convenient ports have far more inflate in determining trade routes than eistanee, as is evidenced by the fact that in order fco call at the Caae and obtain the advantage of the t-ade winds, the onfcward bound direct st&amer3 to New Zealand call at the Capo and cover a distance of 14,000 KiiSse, fiithouscb fcne route by the Straits j of Ma--.eilan is on'v 10,550.