TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11058, 9 May 1899, Page 3

TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—ln your issue of Monday, April 24, I notice a letter from a correspondent signing himself "Late Durbanite" under the above heading, and which I was very pleased to peruse, for it has struck a note that I have often wondered has not been struck before. , it is some years now since my arrivil in Auckland from South Africa, . u.d it has been a puzzlo to me why Auckland merchants have never thought ,5 worth their while to open up a trade with Durban, Port Natal. The only way I could account for the want of enterprise on their part was cither that Port Natal a terra, incognita to them, or from sheer apathy, I am the more surprised also when I notice that they are enterprising enough in trying to open up European markets where they have greater competition to contend with than in Natal for fruit, flour, jams, and other confectionery generally. Again, I feel sure a reciprocal trade would spring up between the two colonies in exchange of products provided there were no prohibitive duties imposed on cither side. As | "Durbanite" says, there is a good background to Natal, mentioning the Transvaal and Free State; but there is more, viz., Zululand (now British territory) to Delagoa Bay (Portuguese territory) and the adjoining tribes of Swazies and Amatongas on the one hand, and on the other Amapondaland and Griqualand to tho Cape Colony; v there is also Basutoland to deal with. There is no telling y wliat tho 'possibilities might be both for Africa and New Zealand.

Natal itself has a large population of Europeans, Zulus, and other native tribes, besides a numerous proportion of coolies and other natives of India employed on and oc cupving the coast lands, principally in ' tho sugar industry and other tropical and semitropical products. They also (the Indians), I feel sure, would become large customers for mutton, let alone many other things which Now Zealand could well supply to the advantage of both colonies, if, as I repeat, tho tariffs aro not prohibitive on either side. Another branch of Now Zoaland produce, or rather manufacture, might also he opened up, viz., woollen and other fabrics, boots and shoos, and prepared leather of various sorts, saddlery, etc., provided they could be landed in Natal at equally reasonable prices as English and Continental manufactures. While I think of it, I may mention that I believe a trade might be done with the colony in diicd fish if prepared similarly to the Cape snook, which at ono time used to bo largely imported into Natal for salo to the Indians. Tinned fish, meat, etc., would also find a market amongst the Europeans. In return, Natal could supply New Zeaand with sugar, lea, coffee, arrowroot, tobacco, molasses, rum, and other tropical and semitropical products. Since penning tho foregoing I see in tho Herald of Wednesday, April 26, a letter from Mr. Edwin Harrow, and I am glad to see ho also advocates an attempt to open up trade with Natal, though he mentions the opposition of the Natal farmers to tho importation of meat from Now Zealand or elsewhere. But lei mo say I firmly believe that objection could bo overcome by a littlo diplomacy and strenuous effort by, at leaßt, the coast community, whoso inhabitants and interests are far larger and moro numerous than the uplands of tho colony.

I have spent the best part of my life in Natal before coming to Now Zealand, in which I have resided for several years, and fool ail interest in the welfare of both colonies. I can date back as a colonist of Natal to the "ear 1850, and my residenco in New Zealand since about 1885, so I feel more or less a colonist of both countries. I, similarly to Mr. Harrow, would liked to have done a. little trado with Natal on my first arrival in Auckland, but I soon found it was impracticablefirst because there was no direct shipping to Natal, and everything (correspondent*) included) had to go via Sydney or England, postage alone being then Is per half-ounce letter; secondly, my means were and arc limited. Still, had there been direct periodical communication I would have ventured a small parcel now and then by way of experiment. In conclusion, ] would suggest that a bureau or room should bo opened whore a, visitors' book could be kept in some central placo easy of access any day of the wook, between tlio hours of, say, nine a.m. till fivo or six a.m., where letters could be left to bo callod for by travellers or tourists and by former residents of either colony and now residing in Now Zcalond, and the same in Durban, Natal.— am, etc., Colokist. May 1, 1899.