TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6593, 18 September 1899, Page 4

TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA.

THE OTHER RTPF. OF THE QUESTION. [tKOM OUB, CORRESPONDENT.] ' r . : WELIKGTON, Sept. 16. ' .Mr Auerb)icb,,a gentljsman^who for some 'time has been' ih business at the Cape, rind is at present on a visit to t;his colony, met a number of members of the Legislature on Saturday morning, and discussed witb them the question of opening ,up trade relations ; between the two countries. The proceed--1 ing was of an informal and conversational 1 nature, but Mr Auerbacb made some ob- ■ servations which, cbming_ as they do from 'a man experienced in South African trade affairs,' should have some weight. His estimate of the value to New Zealand of South Africa as a market is very discouraging to those who have been advocating it witb so much vigour. Whilst admitting that, ow- ., ing to the rinderpest .and recent droughts, an outlet at the Cape was at present offered • for om' produce, he asserted that it was only j of a temporary '•nature, and could- not be j depended, on to last. :As a matter of fact.---j th' 3 South African pastoralists were coi>sidering the question of starting the frozen meat export industiy. He did 'nofr, say that • they would succeed, but it indicated that there was but little occasion for frozen meat being sent there. As for wheat, the South [ Africans had all along grown enough for ; their, own us - *, and had now awakened to the fact that their large areas of agricultural 1 land could be turned to profitable account by growing wheat for the markets of the . world. It was quite true, Mr Auerbach said; that farm and dairy produce was at times very dear in South Africa. The high • prices which had been quoted were not fictitious. They were very unreliable, as the markets fluctuated rapidly, and in the most ; extraordinary manner, and he quoted an instance of .butter having been 3s 6d a lb and 5d a lb. in one town in the course of a month. As far as our manufactures were concerned, South Africa afforded absolutely no outlet at all, for the class of goods demanded there were of the poorest and cheapest'kind that could be made, and the class , of goods turned out here 1 was altogether too ' t high class to find a ready sale. j Mr Auerbach's opinions were not reassur- . ing to those who are advocating the estab- . lishment of 9/ regular service to the Cape, , but it is as well before the colony is com- , mitted to any course of action -in the matter ! tbat both sides should be fully considered, j for it is much better to havo illusions disj pelled before liability is incurred.