TRADE WITH BRITAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18322, 12 February 1923, Page 9

TRADE WITH BRITAIN.

LIVERPOOL FACILITfES.

PORT OF DISTRIBUTION.

INVITATION TO DOMINION.

The facilities which the Port of Liverpool offer for the economical distribution of New Zealand produce to the extensive markets in the North of England and the Midlands, were described by Colonel T. H. Hawkins. C.M.G, assistant general manager to the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, who is at present in Auckland. Colonel Hawkins' mission to New Zealand is to secure more direct trade between New Zealand and the port of Liverpool.. :

In emphasising the need for direct shipment to the northern port in the interests of the producer, Colonel Hawkins said that Liverpool was to the North of Britain what London was to the South, for these two ports between them absorbed some 60 per cent, of the total trade of the United Kingdom. In some years the value of Liverpool's overseas trade exceeded that of London. In 1920 ■ Liverpool's trade amounted to over | £1,100,000,000. | "The port is able to deal- with and : absorb every type of cargo," continued j the visitor, who mentioned that within a radius of 50. miles there was a dense population. " The facilities are unrivalled and ' the port has always been noted for its quick despatch and ' turnround ' of vessels. The port se-ves the great industrial North and the Midlands of Britain, with which it is in the closest proximity by rail and canal. It is also the main channel for supply for Ireland and has frequent and fast coastal services to the Scotch, English and Welsh ports. Situated as it is, Liverpool is the natural gateway through which pass the overseas supplies of foodstuffs and raw materials, for the great mass of the population of the North and Midlands, who carry on the great staple industries of the country." All Shipping Needs Fully Met.

Some idea of the equipment of a great modern port serving a dense population was given by Colonel Hawkins, who said that Liverpool was self-contained in that every need of shipping could be met. The dock estate consisted of over 600 acres of closed water space, and it had 57 miles of quays with treble, double or single-storied transit sheds. This great estate was vested in the hands of the Mersey Dock and Harbour Board, a body elected by the shippers and traders who used the port No profits were made, and any excess of revenue over expenditure during any financial year must, after the payment of bond interest, be used either in the reduction of rates or dues or expended in the betterment of the estate. The members of the board were unpaid, and their sole great duty was to efficiently administer the port at the least cost to those making use of it and indirectly to the many millions in Great Britain who depended for their lives r and well-being on overseas supplies. "It has, however, been apparent to the Dock Board for some time," added Colonel Hawkins, "that their direct Crade with" New Zealand is in no way proportionate to New Zealand's productive capacity, nor in proportion to their own dock and distributive facilities or to the marketing advantages of Liverpool. In 1921 New Zealand sent into the United Kingdom 43,000 tons of butter, of which Liverpool only secured direct some 2000 tons. Of 69,000 tons of cheese sent by New Zealand in the same year Liverpool received direct only 3400 tons, while oi the 263,000 tons of meat landed by New Zealand in the same year Liverpool pot direct only some 23,000 tons. We also received direct a very small quantity of Now Zealand's wool "It may be asked, 'What is the board doing to , secure more direct traffic.' Only recently the dues on wool have been reduced from 6s to 3s 4d per ton, and the handling charges have also been largely reduced. Dues on meat have been reduced from 4s 4d to 3s 8d per ton and on butler from 5a to 4s 9d." ; ; Provisions for Frozen Produce.

• Asked what provision the port had for the handling and storage of frozen produce in the event of New Zealand deciding to increase her shipments to that point, Colonel Hawkins said that there wats . nearly 9,000,000 cubic feet of coldstorage accommodation practically all rail-connected, while : the , most up-to-date cold store in Europe was that recently erected on the Alexandra Dock at a quay used for the discharge of frozen produce.

All the handling was by mechanical means,-and the building could accommodate 1,500,000 lambs or nearly 2,000,000 boxes of butter. Distribution was effected by refrigerated cars over four railway lines. Then there was ample accommodation for the care of wool cargoes, which could' either be forwarded direct from the ship to the wool-consum-ing centres, or stored in the port or placed on show, sold, and forwarded. Ample splendidly-equipped warehouses were available. ' , As to the demand for New Zealand produce and the advantages to be derived from shipping ts Liverpool, Colonel Hawkins said that the trading - interests of Liverpool wished for more New Zealand goods by direct shipment. That a demand existed in Liverpool for such goods was undoubted, for in addition to those reaching the port direct very large quantities of New Zealand produce were being railed- from London. Goods flowed into Liverpool from all parts, of the world by direct shipment, Canada, the United States, and the Argentine all supplying Liverpool with meat and dairy produce, but the main New Zealand supply was railed ; from London. I

Regular Shipping Services Urged. This method, Colonel Hawkins pointed out, was uneconomic and the markets could not expand unless New Zealand produce was sent direct. The cost of railing New Zealand lamb from London to-day was §d per lb., end provisions £2 to £3 per ton, which was tantamount to additional freight, an item which all interests in New Zealand were trving to have , reduced. The great necessity for direct trade was a reeular shipping service, as it was impossible for the Liverpool merchant to make a feature of our goods unless he was certain of a regularity of supply. • " Before leaving Liverpool," said the visitor, " I att°nded a larcre meeting of the produce»brokers of the city, and they welcomed the idea of a representative cpming to New Zealand. They stated that the demand for New Zealand goods in the North is an existing and a growing one, but they emphasised the fact that there must be regularity of supply. To start with it. would be a policy of perfection if the supplies which now come from London to Liverpool by rail could, come direct to the port. The time is particularly opportune now before the Argentine supplies increase and , specially in view of the fact that the United States, owing to an increase in population. is failing in the export of those commodities which New Zealand is producing in increasing quantities."