TRADE RECIPROCITY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16292, 27 January 1915, Page 4

TRADE RECIPROCITY.

Tiik Prime Minister of Australia is not likely to return to tho commonwealth with any feeling that there is a lack of sympathy among the leaders of tho commercial community of tho dominion with regard to proposals that are aimed at bringing about a closer trade relationship between New Zealand and her important neighbour in the Pacific. There seems no reason to doubt that the commercial interest in this country is quite favourable to the removal of as many as possible of the trade barriers that have grown up between the two countries. The President of the Chamber of Commerce gave felicitous expression yesterday to the sentiments which may most fittingly subsist between these sister dominions at the present period of their history. As he well indicated, there is room for a more enlightened sentiment in relation to trade between different parts of the Empire, and if the war hast-ens the development of this the Empire and its several parts should reap the benefit. So broad a view of the situation possibly opens up a wider subject than there is any particular use in contemplating at the present time. But the establishment of commercial bonds calculated to unite Australia and New Zealand more firmly is a design well within the sphere of the practical politics of to-day, and one that has strong and obvious recommendations in its favour. On geographical grounds the argument that there should be a removal of as many restrictions as possible which at present operate against the development of the trade relations between the two countries is reasonably advanced. Sister dominions that are such close neighbours ought to be considering how their trade relations should be made most conducive to their mutual advantage. It cannot be argued that, in this aspect of the matter, there is any logic or any common sense in their regarding each other over high tariff walls. Mr Fisher is not apparently prepared to endorse without reserve all that Mr Gibson seemed to imply in his reference to tariff barriers subsisting within the Empire, but he comes to New Zealand with views on reciprocity which he is desirous of seeing carried into practice in the most effective way at present discernible—namely, by mutual agreement as to details and their scope. We hope that the aspirations of Mr Fisher in this direction will be fullyrealised, and that the necessary basis of arrangement upon which he has laid .emphasis will be arrived at without undue difficulty. The attainment of the end in view may not be as simple an achievement as perhaps it looks, for various interests are bound to consider themselves threatened by some of the proposals in contemplation. Yet the question is not one of the removal of all trade restrictions between Australia and New Zealand. Recent events, moreover, should have had some effect : n demonstrating that it is undesirable to preserve Customs restrictions tending to exclude from either country commodities which it requires and which are produced by its neighbour. As Mr Gibson very pertinently pointed out, Australia and New Zealand, while in close proximity, are otherwise advantageously situated from the viewpoint of trade reciprocity in that they have points of strong dissimilarity that are reflected in their products, each being able to supply commodities which the other lacks.

The English mail which was despatched from Dunedin, via Naples, on December 3 arrived in London on the 24th inst.—eight days late.

The neglected commoner may envy the man of note who is feted wherever he goes. But the latter would often be glad to travel incognito and avoid being almost " entertained to death." The Hon. J. A. Boyd, who is touring New Zealand with the Right Hon. A. Fisher, voiced a humorous protest yesterday afternoon on the occasion of the luncheon at Port Chalmers. "We (ire peculiar people, we Britishers," ho remarked, smilingly. "We think that the height of hospitality is feeding. Tin's is our third meal in three hours—and we have each only one stomach!"—(Laughter.)

Brevet-nank was conferred on the Hon. J. Allen yesterday by a speaker at a luncheon tendered to the Right Hon. A. Fisher. By a slip of the tongue, the spoakcr, apparently making a mental fubstitution of "gospel" for "defence" in thinking of Mr Allen's portfolio, all'uded to the Minister as " the Rev. Mr Allen." The victim of the blunder smiled modestly, but others present were less restrained in their mirth.

" What do you think of the Otago Harbour?" asked an Otago Daily Times reporter of the Right Hon. A. Fisher after the trip down the harbour yesterday. The reporter expected Mr Fisher to say something nice about the beautiful, view, etc. But Mr Fisher is nothing if not straightspoken. "The harbour?" said Mr Fisher. "Oh, it wants cleaning out."

The board of directors of the Young Women's Christian Association yesterday apjiointcd Miss A. M. Dineen to the position of superintendent for tho new hostel. Miss Dineen was for two years head mistress of the Diocesan High School at Auckland, and 6inco then has been engaged in mission work undertheCKZ.M.S. in Foochow, China, where she wae for some time in charge of tho Home of Rest for Missionaries and a school for girls. The association hopes to tike possession of the new hostel early in February, when the present Y.W.C.A. will be altered entirely and made adaptable for city work. Miss Seaman, the present hostel superintendent, will transfer to the position of assistant secretary, with Miss Griffin in that department. The new hostel, formerly known as Braemar College, has been thoroughly renovated and altered extensively under the careful supervision of Mr N. Vanes, of Salmond and Vanes, architects.

A New Zealand merchant who is an undoubted authority on the subject, has (says the Wellington Post) written to the Prime Minister pointing out that, comparing the preseut prices of wheat and the prices at which tho Government made its purchases in Canada and Australia., the Government has saved the dominion something over £20.000. In addition to the wheat that is on its way to New Zealand from Canada and Australia, the Government has purchased 300 tons of flour from a northern firm, to bo delivered at the rate of 50 tons per week.

A letter from "A Pneumatic Tyre" was received at the meeting of the Waikonaiti County (Jouncil, held yesterday, enclosing a cheque for £1 towards repairing the roads in the vicinity of Waitati, an<l commending the council for the efforts it was making to improve the condition of the roads. As commendations and donations (dike are li.e infrequent portion of local IxwJies, the letter was received with expressions of pleasure, and the anonymous correspondent was thanked.

Owing to the illness and the absence from town of members, the meeting of the Dunedin Drainage Board, which was to have been held last night, lapsed for want of a quorum. The meeting will be held on Friday at 10 a.m.

In our report of the annual meeting of subscribers to the Dunedin Athenaeum, by a typographical error, the chairman was credited with saying that the institution had a bank balance at the end of 'ast year of £735 17s 3d. The amount should have been £135.

A reference to Iwrrowing in his speech last night loci Mr iStatham to refer to a report that Sir Joseph Ward is coming down to take part in the Dunedin Central contest. Mr Statham seized the opportunity to make one of the best points in an excellent fighting speech. "I sha'l bo very glad," he said, "to see the right honourable gentleman when he comes."—(A Voice: "Let him come.") "And let me tell you this," he added, "I am not going to get anybody else to fight my battles.—(Prolonged applause.) If ho come e during the present week, I shall appear upon the public platform and reply to him at the very earliest moment."—(Loud applause.)

There is probably no annual flower which enjoys a greater popularity wiith the public than the sweet pea, and the wealth of bloom to be seen in many Dunedin and suburban gardens at the present time indicates the amount of care and attention bestowed on the cultivation of this freeblooming plant. The last two seasons at Home have seen practically a revolution in the sweet pea trade in cut flowers, and the demand for disbudded as »gainst the ordinary was greater than the eupply, the public showing keen appreciation for the better blooms produced by the former method. The self-colours, such as white, pink, salmon, mauve, and rsd, are the most in demand. Many of the modern varieties produce blooms, under ordinary cultivation, fully 2iin across the standard. Dunedin has many enthusiastic growers of this popular annual, and the public will be afforded an opportunity of seeing some of the remarkable blooms produoed under modern conditions at the carnation and sweet pea show in the Garrison Hall to-day.

Some interesting points were elicited in the hearing of a judgment summons ease at the Milton Magistrate's Court on Monday, Henderson and Co. (Milburn) being tho judgment creditors for £27 7s 2d, for goods supplied, and John Stcdman being the defendant. During the cross-examina-tion of defendant by Mr D. Reid, solicitor for plaintiffs, it was stated defendant's wife owned property at Mosgiel and Milburn. The latter property was mortgaged, and defendant was paying monthly instalments to the Bruce Building Society, the mortgagee, at . the rate of 6s 6d per week on behalf of his wife, whose possession secured from defendant's creditors, and whose the property would eventually become. The magistrate strongly advised defendant to make some arrangements towards settling his debts, and warned him that if proceedings were taken against him under the Bankruptcy Act, the official assignee would make inquiries into the position of the two properties. The course defendant was adopting in paying money on his wife's behalf to release the mortgage on her property might constitute a basis for proceedings for breaches of the Bankruptcy Act. The case wag adjourned for a month to permit of defendant making some arrangements for payment of his outstanding liabilities. The Musselburgh School Committee met on Monday evening, Mr Cameron (chairman) presiding. The Works Committee reported that the grounds had been thoroughly put in order, all asphalt having been topdressed. Mr C. Stevenson's resignation as a member of tho committee was accepted with regret, and he was thanked for past services. Resolutions of sympathy were passed to Mr H. Hellyer in the loes of his father, and to Mr and Mrs A. Walker in the unfortunate accident to their son Stanley, a deservedly popular boy in the school, and best wishes were expressed for a speedy recovery. Congratulations wero extended to the staff, especially Mr T. Paterson and Mr White, on the excellent results obtained in proficiency examinations. The school will reopen on Monday, and extra seating accommodation is being placed in several rooms, as a large number of new soholars is expected.

Speaking on the price of foodstuffs at his meeting last evening, Mr Statham said he believed the people of New Zealand were better off in this connection than the people in any other part of the British Empire. One of the audience here interrupted to ask, "What about all the wheat in Ward's store at the Bluff?" Mr Statham replied, "So far as I know there was no wheat there, but I notice that a thousand sacks of oats were washed out. However, they might have been held for someone else. But its amusing to read it."— (Laughter.)

Apropos of the demand for labour at Port Chalmers just now, it may be mentioned that in order to meet requirements on the Waimana to-day 100 men will be wanted to paint the vessel, 100 carpenters will be needed to put her decks and holds in order, 50 men will be needed to handle bunker coal, and there is room for about 25 men in handling crates of cheese. This docs not take into account a further batch of men required to handle -wool in the stores. There is also a general shortage of boilermarkers, machinists, and fitters at the present time, which is quite abnormal so far as the demand for labour is concerned.

Firemen are in great demand at Port Chalmers at present, but the shortage has reached quite an acute stage. Although fixed to sail on Monday night for the West Coast, the Flora had to remain at the wharf until firemen could be secured. She remained at her moorings until yesterday afternoon, when she managed to steam down to Carey's Bay, whero she anchored to await the signing on of her full complement of firemen, but as this was not forthcoming she had to remain at her anchorage last evening.

A general meeting of Kawmillers was held at Grcymouth on Monday (our own correspondent states) to discuss various matters of interest to the trade. The opinion was very generally expressed that a rise in the selling price rt timber wa« inevitable, owing largely to the increased cost of labour, which is in turn induced by the enhanced prices charged for the necessaries of life. It has long been held that tho extreme quality demanded by the Canterbury trade would fully justfy higher rates being charged, and it was unanimously decided that og a step in this direction tho price of the highest grade of rimu to the Canterbury market should be increased by Is per 100 ft.

The return of election expenses of Mr W. E. J. Maguirc, a candidate for Dunedin ■Vest, shows that the sum actually disbursed was £37 26. In addition to this sum there is £17 2s, which is apparently in the nature of contributions to the expense of the campaign, and £15 still unpaid owing to the items remaining in dispute. The next quarterly sitting of the Dunedin Licensing Committee will be hold at riie courthouse, Dunedin, on Monday, and tho Dunedin South Committee will ait nt *.he South Dunedin Town Hall on Wednesday. Mr I-I. Y. Widdowson, S.M., presided over a sitting of the City Police Court yesterday, when a first offending inebriato was fined ss, in default 24 hours' imprisonment, and a prohibition order was issued against a man on the application of hie son.

Commenting upon the indiscriminate giving of credit by tradespeople in Wanganui, Mr W. Kerr, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning (our own correspondent states) said: "It is high time business people looked after their own interests. More, the credit system seems to ' be ruinous to tradespeople. If they want (heir money they must insist upon a cash system, and then people would buy things they want and not things they do not require. If business people choose to give credit indescriminately they do so at their own risk and have only themselves to thank if they do not* got the money." —, .^ Mr Editor, —We would infer from your comment in Monday's ksuo on the motor events held at Warrington that you or your friends had the unfortunate —;perience of having to push your motor cycles up the Kihuog and other famous hills on your journev homeward. We would strongly advise you and your friends to purchase a "Trusty" Triumph or a Perfect 8.5.A., when this form of violent exercise will be non-existent for you. Triumph, 8.5.A., and Douglas motor cycles never require to be"pushed up" the Kilmog Hill.—W. Stuart Wilson and Co., Bond street, Dunedin.— Advt. The secretary of the Nokomai Hydraulio Sluicing Company reports that No. 1 resumed sluicing on Friday morning. At No. 2 the bottom was reached at a depth of 26ft, and the prospects are fair. A wash up was made at No. 3, the result being 550z lldvrfc for a small paddock. Wo have to acknowledge Englebert and Co.'s almanac for 1915 from Messrs A. and T. Burt, Ltd. " Tho greatest of great events"—Mollisons expansion sale commences on Thursday next, at 9 a.m. Secure a sale catalogue. —Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist. Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 185&— Advt. What men ask for, enjoy, recommend — Watson's No. 10 whisky.—Adrt. Mr Ernest Boot, surgeon and mechanical dentist, 63 Princes street, Dunedin.—Advt. Who is Peter Diokf—The most reliable Watchmaker, Jeweller, and Certificated Consulting Optician, 490 Moray place (off Prince* street), Dunedin. Charges moderate. —Adrt.