HOW THE STRIKE AFFECTS NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12269, 13 May 1903, Page 5

HOW THE STRIKE AFFECTS NEW ZEALAND.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Tuesday. Inquiries made in shipping and commercial circles in Wellington by a representative of the Post go to show that so far the railway strike has not affected the trade of the colany. There are indications that some exporters are considering the advisability of shipping produce and sheep to Melbourne to take advantage of the rise in prices which has already become apparent over there, but there is a natural hesitation to take any decided step until it is seen whether the strike is likely to last for any appreciable period. It is pointed out also that the coastal steamer services can go a great way towards bringing produce into Melbourne, provided, of course, that the produce can be brought to the coastal ports from the interior, and the shipping companies will naturally do all in their power to take advantage of the crisis by making the coastal service as efficient as possible. It is evident, however, that New Zealand producers and shippers are keenly watching the progress of events, and if the stnite continues it is most probable that large speculative shipments will be sent from the colony to Victoria. In fact, communications received from Sydney go to show that merchants there are already making inquiries with a view, if necessary, to placing orders in this colony. One way in which commercial men in New Zealand will feel the dislocation of traffic in Victoria will be in regard to mails. Merchants doing business with Melbourne firms send their correspondence via Sydney, but tne uncertain state of the railway traffic between the New South' Wales capital and Melbourne will necessarily mean a considerable delay in the transmission of the mails, and already some merchants here are making a more extensive use of the cable than hitherto.