Direct Service to South Africa.

Otago Witness, Issue 2520, 2 July 1902, Page 11

Direct Service to South Africa.

TO THE EDITOR,

Sir,— l have been requested to write a few lines in, regard to this matter, but after your excellent article and Messrs J. RSeitt's and W. J. Bolt's able letters very little remains to be said. It may, however, be as well to summarise the position as follows: — , 1. All our exporters agree that nonui Africa presents a large market for foodstuffs of all kind's.

2. Most of our f.o.b. prices compare very favourably with the f.o.b. costs of similar produce, in other countries at present supplying the South African market. 3. Notwithstanding this advantage, it is utterly useless for ub to attempt to exploit the South African market without a regular refrigerated steam service with rates of freight on a par with those enjoyed by other countries.

4. Rightly or wrongly, we have pinned our faith to a Government subsidised line, with the-^result that the colony has been treated to a burl'sque inttead of legitimate business. It is indeed difficult for any exporter to write or speak calmly at the present stage of this melancholy farce, and it might be asked. Why did our Government waste months watching the Shaw-Savill and New Zealand Shipping Companies advertising spasmodic steamers under conditions which no sane shipper would dream of accepting? WUi did they throw away a further six

months and a good deal of public money waiting for Mr Gow's report, when they hatl a very comprehensive report already front Mr W. J. Wood, an infinitely better man than Mr Gow, who was duly accredited by them in the end of 1899, and went over exactly the same ground as Mr Gow? Why, if they decided to suppress Mr Wood's report, did they not make use of private reports and information freely offered ( to them, since by New Zealand merchants? Knd why when once they had resolved to advertise for a service did they not insist xrpon i* sufficiently heavy deposit to keep out tenderers whose limitations are fairly well known in Australia,- if not here?

These and other equally pertinent questions might be asked, but I doubt if anything would be gained, even if answers were forthcoming, and I would rather point out that even at the eleventh hour our Government may retrieve the position. During tho war the whole trade of South Africa waa dislocated, and the commercial congestion at the ports was indescribable. It will take six months, to reopen all .the channels cl trade, and if our Government, or, I may ta well say at once, Sir J. G. Ward, will only apply himself energetically to this problem, ■then, 'by the time- the inland markets oE South Africa are really open, wo may have our service established. The delay is not yefc fatal, especially in view of our recont' baJ harvest and abnormally high local prices; but if by February or March next we have not a regular steam service running, then wo may as well save ours&lves tho -exasperation of thinking more about it, and sit down content to act as a mere feeder to Australia.,

I would further point out that tho service as outlined in the Government advertisement for tenders is altogether too ambitiou*. A monthly service on such a subsidy in not practicable, and during the first 12 months, at any rate, it might bo most difficult to make up full cargoes monthly. All that is really required is_ a bi-monthly nervicp, with regular sailing chite3, and possibly the option of an increase to a siv-wcekly or monthly service later if required ; but reasonable freights and a regular time-table New Zealand sellers aud South African buyers must have; and if the • proper subsidy were spread over six voyag.es per annum for a beginning it would really offer some inducement to respectable shipping companies to tender. The rates of freight named in the Government advertisement and the ports of loading and discharge are satisfactory enough. Let Sir J. £}. Ward cut the service down to bi-monthly sailing*, with regular fixed dates, give New Zealand exporters three to four months' notice before the first steamer sails (not 14 days, as in the past), and let that boat leave New, Zealand not later than March next, but in? the name of common sense do not foot with an outside market as if it were a vot« for the Otago Central or a State coal mine.We can put down or take up these play* things any time, but the exploitation of an" oversea market is cold drawn "business, and if we are to get that business we must hustW for it. I have been there, and many anotbW better man besides, and we know. — I am. etc.,

J. B. Waters.