THE WEST COAST TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12269, 13 May 1903, Page 6

THE WEST COAST TRADE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— Seeing- that I had the honour of starting the discussion on.the above subject, which now appears in danger o:t lapsing into a disoussion on the pros and cons, of tho Waitemata-Manukau canal, you will perhaps allow me space to again refer to the original aspect, of tho subject. 11l tho interview which I gave one of your representatives on my return from Taranaki last month I pointed out that Auckland was losing a large proportion of tho trade of that province through lack of proper communication, and I advocated, as a solution of the difficulty, the opening up of a. direct line of steamers with Patea. It is satisfactory to know that tho business people in that important centre aro in favour of the scheme, and that the Patea Chamber of Commerce have taken up the matter, showing that they are prepared to meet us in any plans for opening up the trade. There is really no opposition, Wellington cannot object to it, for we have a3 much right to that district as Wellington has. The only hindranco is the want of soma authorised body to take it up and arrange matters. It seems to mo that is lies between our own Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Steamship Company, and, as I presume tho company have sufficient to do in managing the routes thai; aro already opened, the duty of showing and opening up a new trace route might very well be taken up by the Chamber. When it is seen that a reasonable prospect of freight is before them v.-n can expect from previous experience that the Northern Company will rise to the occasion. It has been announced that the Chamber of Commerce propose to arrange some ceremonial under vice-regal patronage to celebrate the opening of their commodious , new buildings. Any ceremonial of this kind' will be forgotten in a day, but such a scheme as I have advocated, if taken up by that body, would be for ever associated with the opening of the new Chamber and remembered as a living (definite result-.

Now as to the trade itself, I note that the Patea secretary corroborates my opinion that the trade for as far north as Stratford should go through Patea, being mote economical than shipping via New Plymouth or Waitara. My difficulty has been 10 find back freight, but it is now pointed out that, the district has a largo output of grain, potatoes, hay, bonedust, cattle and sheep, with the early prospect of lime and concrete also. Everyone knows that for the bulk of these commodities Auckland is by far the besi market in New Zealand, so that the difficulty of back freight almost disappears, and it would quite disappear if their butter could bo shipped from here instead of from Wellington. In the meantime the chief attraction in the trade is what we oan get by opening up a market there, and the secretary of the Patea Chamber of Commerce makei the freight -differences in favour of his port very plain. He states: "As against Mohiroa you will find the charges aro in favour of Patea up to and including Stratford, and as against Waitara as far north as Ngsire, four miles south of Stratford. South of Patea, as far as Waitotara township, charges aro in favour of Patea to an appreciable amount as against Wanganui." Looking at it from a commercial point of view, it is not my duty to prove the navigability .of the Patea River. It is supposed to be a difficult port, but several Wellington steamers trade there, and most likely it is just as easy to work as Waitara. Our shipping experts will soon investigate that aspect o:' the case, I may say in conclusion that I do not look to the proposed canal as the solution of the West Coast trade difficulty. That would certainly dispense with the 6s freight from Auckland to Onehunga, but it would probably add canal dues nearly »3 heavy. I hold that the correct solution is stiU nearer to our grasp, and if we must have the canal the first and most pressing want is to find business for it by opening up trade in the way I have advocated. The other side issue introduced into the question by Mr. Frank La wry, M.H.E.,.1 shall deal with when that gentleman returns from his Island cruise, as courtesy demand? that I should not in his abscnoj reply to nil' critique on my interview.— I am, etc., T.GS.