OUR LETTER HOME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13095, 7 February 1906, Page 2 (Supplement)

OUR LETTER HOME.

His Excellency the Governor (Lord Plunket), after spending some three months in residence in Auckland, left for the South last week. He was accompanied by the Hon. Kathleen Plunket. who will leave Wellington for Ceylon with Mrs. and Miss Braithwaite. mother and sister respectively of Captain Braithwaite, A.D.C. to the Governor. Lady Plunket is at present spending a few days at Rotorua, and on her return will go South.

Addressing a public meeting at Kumarai (Westland) recently, the Premier stated that from general indications the colony's surplus would again be a very large one. Arrangements had been made for a million loan in the colony on the most favourable terms. The loan would realise four per cent, over par. Debentures amounting to two millions would fall due this year, and arrangements had already been made for their renewal. The revenue for the past nine months was: Customs, £1,927,713 ; stamps, £84,681; land and income tax, £382,943 ; beer duty, £70,759; railways, £1,610,034; registration and other fees, £72,015 ; marine revenue, £26,314 ; miscellaneous, £119,275" territorial revenue, £160,929: total, £5,213,642. an increase of £188,617. Referring to the fiscal question, Mr. Seddon said he regarded himself as ai fair trader. Where the conditions were favourable, industries must be protected. He intended to continue on these lines. It was monstrous that New Zealand mutton and lamb should be sold cheaper in the Old Country than in the colony. This was the outcome of a monopoly here, and must be put a stop to. The Postmaster-General, Sir Joseph Ward, leaves for Sydney on Saturday next, en route to Rome, to attend the Universal Postal Congress. Interviewed a few days ago, Sir Joseph said:—"Among the more important proposals to be submitted to the forthcoming Congress is that submitted by me to reduce postage on letters to places within the union to one penny for each half ounce. Of late years considerable interest has been taken in the question of oversea postage by the United States, which country, it is understood, is willing to enter ; into an agreement with European countries, so that practically the whole of the AngloSaxon world may be expected to support the proposition, In addition to the universal penny post, New Zealand proposes 'that postage on printed matter and newspapers of all kinds should be reduced from halfpenny for every two ounces (fourpence per pound) to halfpenny for every four ounces (twopence per pound). 1 am making this proposal with the object of facilitating transport of heavy newspapers and periodicals on which the halfpenny per two-ounce rate presses unduly. A proclamation bearing the seal and signature of His Excelency the Governor, Lord Plunket, and the signature of Sir J. G. Ward (Minister for Industries and Commerce) has been issued proclaiming the New Zealand International Exhibition, to be held at Chriatchurch. The proclamation sets forth that the exhibition is to be held from November, 1906, to a date not later than April 15th, thereafter, for the purpose of illustrating "the progress, position, and potentialities of New "Zealand in industries, manufactures. science, and art : and the advantages it offers (1) to the settler in the fertility of its soil and .the mildness of its climate ; (2) to the manufacturer in its wealth of coal, iron, gold, and other minerals, and its available supply of water for motive power; (3) to the tourist in the variety and picturesqueness of its scenery; and (4) to foreign merchants as a market for the sale of their goods." The proclamation proceeds to call upon all nations to participate in the exhibition by sending representatives and exhibits to "fitly and fully illustrate their; resources, their industries, and their progress in civilisation." The sixty-sixth anniversary of the foundation of the City of Auckland, and of the colony, was celebrated on January 29 with the annual water carnival on the Waitemata Harbour. But few who witnessed the scene on the- Waitemata during the boat races could fail to have been impressed by the fact that the day had something greater than a sentimental value, and for this reason: There was displayed. for all the world to see, what Auckland could do in the matters of seamanship and shipbuilding. Neither those who contested in the sailing events, nor those who were interested in the construction of the vessels, need to be told how important the shipping industry is to the existence of Auckland, but it is possible that others might not be fully aware of the paramount importance of keeping alive and in robust condition those nautical characteristics which are, and should be. the cherished possession of an island people. The official estimate of the population of the colony, at the close of 1905, according to statistics appearing in the Gazette, was 937.892, comprising 496,853 males, ' and 441,039 females. These figures, however, include a Maori population set down at 43,143, together with 12,292 inhabitants of the Cook and other Pacific islands. The estimated population within our own shores (excluding Maoris) was, therefore, 882,457 on the date mentioned, an increase of 24,918 in the 12 months. This increase was made up of an excess of births over deaths amounting to 15,616, and an excess of arrivals over departures to the'extent of 9302. The birth rate for the colony in 1905 wa5.27.21 per 1000 of mean population (the highest on record), and the death rate 9.26. The deaths (8059) were fewer by 28 than the number registered in 1904. The number of marriages (excluding those contracted between ' Maoris) solemnised in 1905 is estimated at 7234. or 8.31 per 1000 of the mean population. This is a record.

During the quarter ended December 31. the imports into New Zealand were valued at £3,475,051, against £3,254.996. The totals for the four principal ports are: Wellington, £1.023.335: Auckland, £911.233 Dunedin, £560,650 Christchurch, £527,533. The imports for the year amounted in value to £12,826,691, against £13,291,634 in the previous year. The figures for the principal ports 'are : Wellington, £3,837,729; Auckland, £3,156,470; Christ church, £2,093,451; Dunedin, £2,016,340.

The exports for the December quarter were of the value of £2,996.315. against £3,014,359 for the corresponding period of 1905. The figures for the principal ports are: Auckland, £765,495; Wellington £647,019; Christclmrch, £270,982; Dunedin, £269,669. For the rear the exports were oi the value of £15,655,947, against £14,784,345 for the previous vear. ° The exports from the four principal ports *V?k U* IHng «'. £5 ' 035 '803; Auckland, £2.643,490 ; Christchurch, £2,459 034 • Dimedin, £1,533,814. Referring to trade monopolies, in the course of a speech on the occasion of a social tendered to Mr. Ross, MHR for Pahiatua, the Premier said these 'were working silently, secretly, and surreptitiously against the interests of the producers of the colony. This was a matter that would engage the attention of Parliament. There was also danger from shipping rings. The people of the colony were under the power of two or three companies, and when anew company entered into competition with ' these companies it was either driven out i or absorbed by them. Freights from New ! Zealand were 33 per cent, more than from Australia. Rather than allow the country to be under the power of monopolies, the , State would have to own steamers and take j its own freight. He felt sure that farmers | would support the Government in seem;.' | that justice was done to the colony's produce at Home.

With regard to a recent statement by the chief electrician of the Pacific Cable Board, that wireless telegraphy— the introduction of which in New Zealand is at present under consideration—will not compete seriously with submarine cables, being more uncertain, and slower, the Postmaster-Gene-ral (Sir Joseph Ward) disclaims anv intention of entering into commercial competition with existing cables. As far as he joint wireless projects of the Australian and New Zealand Governments is concerned, it would seem that the principal object" of

the New Zealand Government is to provide against sea mishaps by enabling vessels between New Zealand and Australia to keep in communication with both mainlands, which would confer the additional benefit of enabling passengers to receive communications while at sea. A secondary, but not less important, object is the safety of communications in war time. Sir Joseph Ward says:"The whole thing could be established on such a comparatively cheap basis that, from the point of view of an up-to-date national equipment and the safety of people travelling by ships over the whole route to Australia, it has everything to commend it. We propose to "have one high-power station in the colony with connections at the outlying islands with lowpowered stations. If the Commonwealth co-operate with us in providing one highpower station we can communicate with them also."

Mr. F. E. Baume, M.H.R., brought forward a motion in the University Senate during its recent sitting in Duiiedin. in which he sought to obtain the recognition of the Senate for a proposal that would fitly carry out the scheme of free education existing in the colony. Mr. Baume's proposal was as follows:—"That as the Government at present pays the fees of certain scholars attending secondary schools, such scholars having done, good work in the primary schools, this Senate would respecting urge the Government, in order to en'courage university education, to pay the university fees of those candidates for junior scholarships who have obtained a pass with credit in the junior scholarship examination, provided that they have not obtained our scholarship." The mover having spoken in support, the Hon. C. C. Bowen (ViceChancellor) seconded, and the motion was then duly carried.

The New Zealand footballers, now on their way back to the colonv from England, via America, are due to arrive in Auckland by the 'Frisco mail steamer on March 5. Arrangements are being made by the NewZealand Rugby Union officials for a fitting reception to the " All Blacks" on their reaching this port, and efforts are to be made to secure the attendance at the function of His Excellency the Governor and the Premier.

Interviewed on his return to the colony from England and South Africa, Mr. W. G. Hutchison gave some interesting opinions on the prospects of out export trade with Manchester and other West of England ports. After stating that the South African trade had proved a failure, Mr. Hutchison went on to say that it had nevertheless inaugurated the service from New Zealand to the West of England, which he considered, if properly worked, would prove a great boon to the colony in the opening up of markets which New Zealand had not properly touched as yet, and which had unlimited power for consuming the products of the colony. The service had been opening up new markets and breaking down a very severe obstacle that New Zealand had had to contend with in the past, the opposition of vested interests in London. The Federal lino, in addition to other fields, served Manchester, Liverpool, and Glasgow, and those three places alone were capable of taking an enormous quantity of New Zealand butter and cheese. The Argentine had come in and secured a very strong hold, and it was only by keeping up a standard of the very highest quality that New Zealand was going to hold its own and secure its share of the trade. His own impression, from careful inquiry iu Manchester and district, was that the people there had a very favourable opinion of New Zealand goods owing to the high quality of the products hitherto sent there. It was admitted that every care was taken in the grading and shipping or produce, and up to that point there was no improvement to suggest ; but it was clear that improvement would have to be made in the distribution at Homo of New Zealand products.

Mr. H. F. Recce, London general manager of the British ana New Zealand Meat and Produce Company, returned to Christchurch a few days ago, after having spent about two years in London. He intends to remain for two or three weeks, and will then return to London, where he is due on April 7. In an interview he stated that there was still a good deal of prejudice against frozen meat in England, but it was .being broken down slowly but surely. In spite of popular prejudice and other drawbacks, however, the New Zealand frozen meat trade was growing. There was no doubt that the colony's lamb trade was an established fact, and it would continue to increase in volume, as all who gave the lamb a trial were thoroughly satisfied with it. Mr. Recce was asked how the Argentine beef was affecting New Zealand's business, and replied that the New Zealand article had been coming to hand in small quantities, wliile Argentine beef was received in large quantities*, and it had to be sold. As a great deal of it was chilled it could not be held, so that it was necessary to dispose of it immediately. The quality of the Argentine mutton was always being improved, and that country was now sending smaller and more useful sheep than it did formerly. There was nothing to be afraid of in regard to the outlook, although there was no "doubt that prices would not be as high this year as they were last year, when they were abnormal. Whether the supplies from New Zealand were large or very small the price of meat from this colony had a limit. As soon as the price went beyond the limit something else would be found to take its place.

The firs* practical step in the direction of consolidating the numerous local bodies which have grown up with the growth of Auckland around the original city boundaries was taken by the Mayor (Mr. A. Myers) on Wednesday, January 24, when he met delegates from the various boroughs and road boards and laid before them bis report on what is known as the Greater Auckland scheme. This report is remarkably interesting, and Mr. Myers is to be congratulated in showing the people of the Northern province the possibilities which lie before municipal consolidation in their beautiful and prosperous city. The local bodies are now carefully considering the proposals, and the question will be further dealt with at'an early date.