Our Export Trade. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 28

Our Export Trade. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — The prices of agricultural produce, now just beginning to come into the market, v are not roseate. .Tenders are. invited foiv supplies to the Admiralty of pork, beef, etc., which should excite the attention, of farmers, producers, and curers, to secure so very desirable a customer. There is an almost illimitable demand if quality and price suit. A certain proportion of our cereal crops are not of choicest milling or feeding quality, and can be, as in America and the home countries, put to profitable use in 'fattening stock, pigs, poultry, etc., etc.

Another very large market has existed, and still exists, in the chaff trade in New South Wales and Queensland. The number of travelling steam threshing and chaff-cutting machines now employed in Victoria is marvellous, and there seems no reason why New. Zealand should not have a cut in in the supply. With coals at some 6s per ton f.o.b. Newcastle, surely there is a margin to import first-class coal, and take a full cargo back for large cargo steamers fortnightly to begin with.

If the anticipated yields thresh ouj; NewZealand will have many thousand tons to expprt of grain* and chaff, and no prospect of an upward market here. To be of the use the Agricultural department was- created for ' immediate information as to actual yields should lie ineisted on, or what use are they to producer or buyei or shipper. Pressure should be brought to bear to see the information published forthwith. One reads of farmers and settlers in Victoria, R-iverina, and New South "Wales having commencsd ploughing operations, and large areas already sown for next season's crops, undeterred by " the small yields and low prices." Tho acreage under crop promises to ovitvie 1898 season by many thousands of acres. I hope some more experienced and practical writer may enlarge on this 'subject. I am an advocate for seizing present opportunities and making the most of our bountiful resources, and taking steps to secure reasonable freight accommodation by land and sea, and not let the market slip into the hands of monopolists. To guarantee full cargoes from' one port of shipment seems the first step to secure moderate? freight. The present current rate in Victoria ia 26s 3d for sailers to British Channel. The intercolonial freights 'twixt Victoria and New South Wales are very low. Steamers filling up with 6000 tons below hatches each trip of coal from Newcastle : and witness what a fleet are engaged in the trade, 4000 to 5000 toimcrs.— I am, etc., Dunedin, April H. Look Ahead.