UNKNOWN

Thames Star, Volume XXX, Issue 9110, 2 July 1898, Page 4

UNKNOWN

NEW MARKETS.

Even to the casual observer it «must be patent that New Zealand fflld"the sister Australian colonies cannot hope to evgar obtain an exclusive place in the fiome market; that competition in Jjondon with the Argentine, with its more favored geographical "position, is increasingly severe; and that it behoves Australasia to have more than one string to her bow, and not to be dependent entirely on the British consumer. This being jjo,. events in the East present to us a commercial as well as a strategic interest, for through out the Orient vast undeveloped markets lie latent, which one day the producers of our food products and raw material may have to fall back upon It is, therefore, opportune that the Government of New Zealand should take vigorous and intelligent steps towards the opening of trade relations not only with the East, but also with any more accessible though less extensive mar kets that may present themselves nearer to our doors. We notice that the Greytown Borough Council, which, although a local booy, is not above taking an intelligent interest in matters outside parish politics, has been devoting attention to this national requirement, and has passed a resolution to the effect that " Government should take immediate steps to open up new markets in and around the Pacific Ocean, Western Australia, the Cape, and elsewhere for our productions, as outlined by the map of suggested trade routes attached to the Tariff Commission report of 1895." This resolution is being submitted by circular for the approval of other local bodies, and a copy found its way before the last meeting of the Borough Council. Councillors did not evince half as much interest in the subject as they generally do in the matter of evil-smelling drains, etc., but they decided to extend to the Greytown Council the favor of their endorsement of the resolution, and a promise of a»y assistance which the Thames Borough Council may be able to render. It is to be hoped that the local bodies of the colony, in the interests ot the producers, who are the country, will all contribute their support to the affirmation, aod that the Government will profit by the hint.