MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD POHANGINA GAZETTE. FRIDAY, MAY 8TH, 1903. NEW ZEALAND MARKETS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 75, 8 May 1903, Page 4

MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD POHANGINA GAZETTE. FRIDAY, MAY BTH, 1903. NEW ZEALAND MARKETS.

We have frequently directed attention to the desirability of exploiting the New Zealand markets in the interests of producers, but it seems to be a subject which, although, it concerns no one m particular, is a matter of moment both to producer and consumar. The colony is throwing away thousands of pounds annually in exploiting foreign markets—in sending all sor.s of ornamental officials abroad for the ostensible purpose of finding markets for our produce—but the resultant benefit is very trifling. Still, one would not complain of the profitless nature of the quest for golden opportunities if everything possible were done to bring the consumers in the colony within easy reach of the producers— to economise the cost of transportation withm the colony is just as important, if not more so, than to obtain a reduction of ocean freights by means of large subsidies. There are thousands of pounds worth of produce going to waste in the colony or realising little profit to the grower, simply bocaxise the only method of bringing the customer into touch with him is by means of the mercantile system which has grown cumbrous and burdensome with old age. Y/hile, as a rule, old age 13 respectable, it is nevertheless the fact that if too much stress is laid on its importance, it becomes burdensome and a clog on the wheels of progress. It seems to us a practicable idea that the Tourist Department might be made of as much use to the colonists :'.s it is of undoubted benefit, to travellers by supplying information as to what produce is available in different parts of the colony and, eventually, even tiding as gobetween with buyer and seller in transporting at moderate rates small parcels of goods which are unsaleable under present conditions. The matter is one worthy of consideration, and there is no reason why an extension of the functions of the Government should not assume the shape we have indicated.