COLONIAL PRODUCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15552, 9 March 1914, Page 8

COLONIAL PRODUCE.

RIVAL HOME PORTS. HULL'S BID FOR TRADE. The distribution" of colonial produce in England from other ports than London was a subject which Sir Newton J. Moore, Agent-General in London for West Australia, who arrived from Sydney by the Maheno yesterday, discussed briefly last night. Provided that freights to Hull were tie same as to London, he thought it would be v advantageous to New Zealand to ship to the former port. Once the trade was established no doubt shipping facilities would be found. Big efforts wore being made at Home, he was aware, to secure our trade. New docks had just been constructed at Avonmouth -for instance, and were under municipal, not Harbour Board, control. A committee of the council had the management, and was doin™ all it could to attract trade. A representative of the Hull Chamber of Commerce who was out here three years ago was now again in Australia with the secretary of the Dock Committee. At i the same time a representative of the Port of London Authority was in the Comj monwealth.

As to the respective advantages of shippine to London or to Hull Sir Newton said there was no doubt better prices could be obtained in London. This had been the experience of his State as regards apples. The great thing to be considered in shipping to ports other than London was full cargoes, _N'ew Zealand butter was ranked at Home as second only -to Denmark butter, and a few points higher than Australian. There was a great market for it in Londoj, and doubtless elsewhere, but in the case of Hull, it must be remembered that that port was in close touch with Denmark. This meant that there was not so much chance there for New Zealand butter as in London, or even in Bristol. There was no European competition at Bull for frozen meat, however. A factor interfering, or likely to interfere, with colonial trade with Hull was the •better shipping facilities of London. There they had regular weekly boats, and everything ready to deal with and handle imported prr>duce. If the same conditions were established in Hull it would be all right, but a continuous trade meant, sustaining a big and regular steamer service. NEW STEAMER SERVICE. [by telegraph. PßESS ASSOCIATION 1 Wellington-. Saturday. The New Zealand Shipping Company confirms the reported arrangement by the High Commissioner for a monthly service from the Dominion to Hull and West of England ports. The service will be inI augurated by the Rakaia, sailing from Wellington on April 11.