CORRESPONDENCE.

Colonist, Volume XL, Issue 8958, 27 August 1897, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

While desirous to give publicity to the discussion of matters of public interest, we are not necessarily to be identified with the opinions of our correspondents. Oorres pondents must write on one side of the paper only. Rejected manuscript will not be returned, To the Editor of the Colonist. Sib, — In your leading article of to-day you call attention to the advantage of having an " Export Board " in this Colony for the encouragement of producers. I gather from your remarks that you favor a local Board for the province of Nelson. Assuming, however, that one strong Board could be formed for the whole of New Zealand, with the sole aim of working for the benefit of every district alike, would not such a body have more in* fluence than any local committee could have, and be better able to deal with Governments, and the great carrying companies? I think one of the main issues which the Australian Board faced was that of calling upon the Government to attach conditions of a commercial nature to the large subsidies given in connection with the mail service. The New Zealand exporters think with reason that they should be put on an equality with Australian shippers in the freights on produce for the Home market, and the claim for equality of treatment as between one New Zealand port and another stands on a much stronger ground. Where the distance runs into hundreds of miles, the few additional miles extra carrying to a southern port as against a northern (N.Z,) port counts for very little. And in the great markets where competition is world-wide the tendency is to level rates to a very near approach to uniformity. This principle ha 9of late years been recognised by the New Zealand Railway Department, on Mr Seddon's initiative, a3 between producers and consumers in the Colony, with evident success ; and doubtless any influence the Ministry could legitimately use, they would do so at the request of a really resolute and capable Export Board, in dealing with the question of ocean mail contracts. Surely this is the opportune time to move itt the matter, when rival routes are before the public. It must be admitted that there i 3 room tor improvement in the present servioe of steamers with Nelson, as regards both mails and market produce. — Yours, &c, Dibect Trade. August 26th, 1897.