TRADE IN SOUTH AFRICA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1696, 31 August 1904, Page 2

TRADE IN SOUTH AFRICA.

TIMBER AND PISH. Reporting to the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the New Zealand Trade Commissioner in South Africa states: — During.: my recent tour to all the principal places in South Africa I heard nothing to but a-'.good deal to strengthen, my previous convictions in connection with this trade, re should be remembered that many parts of. South Africa-are as empty off timber as a desert, and, there is no question but that there must be in the near future a very large demand for such, timber as -New Zealand can export; I have recently noticed that the Natal railways are tak.ng uv'tlie hollow iron sleepers and substituting wood; this is on the overland line to the Cape. As in the case of other matters in consequence of" bad samples being shipped to South Africa, our timbers- were in very bad repute when’ I came here; but the constant inquiries and expressions of approval during the past years prove, I ivnk, th'at-the stigma lias been removed, and that- we liave van opportunity. ■ borne of the last samples ha,ye been in the hands of expert woodworkers, and . they • have expressed- the highest satisfaction. Brit if we are to secure the contracts for the railways we must be able to put. wood before thein which has stood the test of years 'in trying circumstances. 'ln til’s : respect ive might take a leaf out. of the book of .. the sister- : Australian colonies ;: the manner in which tlxey• have equß'ued: their representatives does them infinite credit, and is the best indication that they mean to succeed. In my. opinion ' we. should be able to secure a. large portion of the South African timber trade. M ith an abnormal .depression, and' with a lull in everything, including the building trade, an increase iii. the value of the timber imported of <£156,000 in one year is not without signification. Durban has a lar v «- market for fisli. as indeed has all South Africa, and in the neay future the" demand may increase, reports Mr, J. Graham Gow. New Zealand Commissioner, to the Minister of Industries and Commerce. There is a large local, consumption, and this is supplemented by the up-country, trade. But there is also a large; supply,, and this, of course, keeps, the prices down. New Zealand's.experience in this branch of trade has been unfortunate. In some cases the. packing has been altogether too fragile, so that when landed the eases have not been in good condition—broken, and the contents unfit for sale ,or use. And the cases are far too large; boxes containing 141 b only have a far better chance ..of sale ’than those containing 231 b. In soipe cases the fish have been so badly cleaned that it has all been condemned by the Sanitary Inspector, and has had to be destroyed, thus involving loss to the exporter and disappointment and annoyance. It should be remembered, the Commissioner points out. that although South Africa offers a market for'fish. New Zealand is! not by any means me only country which exports fish. Fish comes from all countries in large quantities and in splendid condition. New Zealand facilities and the keen compentition should be quite sufficient to induce exporters to put. out an article a credit to themselves and profitable at the same time.