MB T. MACKENZIE,

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6595, 20 September 1899, Page 4

MB T. MACKENZIE,

AN INTERVIEW. Mr T. Mackenzie, cx-M.H.R. for Ciutha. *who for the last three years has represented the Farmers' Co-operative Associations in London, arrived in Christchurch from Wellington yesterday morning, and in. the afternoon he was interviewed by a representative of this journal. ' AFFAIRS IN GREAT BRITAIN. Mr Mackenzie said, that since his visit to Great Britain ten years ago, he noticed a great increase in the general- prosperity of the country. London was expanding at a very rapid rate, and -the utmost difficulty was experienced in obtaining lodgings and dwellings suitable for workmen. It was very surprising to him that an intelligent community like that of London should tolerate the present system of land tenure. If a tenant leased a house for, say. £80, about £30 or £40 hacVto be paid in rates, and at the termination of the lease, the whole of the improvements parsed into the hands of the landlord, without any compensation -to the tenant. At the same time, Mr Mackenzie thought that any^man who was willing and able to work in London, need not go long, without employment. On every hand there were signs of wealth. AMERICAN AND BRITISH . MANUFACTURES. In reply to a question as to how America rucceeded in supplanting Britain in many manufacturing markets in different parts of the world, Mr Mackenzie said the. British manufacturer was very slow to accept suggestions in regard to. improvements. Another thing that militated against .the success of the British manufactured article was the limited liability company, which took over ftflm private individuals businesses that were over-capitalised, and the directors were selected not so much on account of their capacity, as their social status. The British Government, however, was beginning to recognise the importance of moving in^ the direction of helping the manufacturers, and was now adopting the methods of America and Germany in regard to their consular agencies. The Colonial Institute nhd the Imperial Institute were : also taking the matter ,np. As •to the quality of the British article, compared with that from . America and Germany, he bslieved the former, though perhaps not so showy, was better value to the buyer. THE IMPENDING WAR. Mr Mackenzie said that feeling in Great 'Britain in regard to the trouble in the Transvaal was very hdgh when he left London. The people were almost wholly with Mr Chamberlain in his recent. actions in this respect. There were a few who had a kind of sympathy for President Kruger, mostly because of his professions, but the vast majority agreed that the only policy in the Transvaal was that which was being pursued. . THE BRITISH AND THE DREYFUS DRAMA. Another question on which the people of Great Britain were much exercised at present was the Dreyfus case. "In England," said Mr Mackenzie, "I have heard only one opinion — that Dreyfus was treated scandalously." Friendly relations between France and Great Britain had been upset by the famous* trial, and commerce had been injured. Frenchmen in Britain were very distressed at the conduct of the people in Paris, and British merchants found it very difficult to get things to work harmoniously at present. THE INSURANCE QUESTION. A question as to the trouble about the ' heavy claims for da-mages against insurance companies, on accouut of frozen meat, brought Mr M'Kenzie on to -a congenial subject, and he entered at, length into whajb he characterised as the dishfuiest actions of . certain people. This remark did not apply to the insurance companies, but their neglect to thoroughly investigate claims led to that condition. Under the present system, ioi every damaged sheep that arrived three were paid for as damaged. To protect themselves from losis, the companies simply increased premiums on the shippers and farmers, who really ' had to bear the burden. . The only remedy was for all the insurance companies to combine and appoint a few reliable assessors at fixed salaries, and auo a permanent arbitrator, whose decision should be final. t At present, if an assessment were disputed, ah arbitrator was callel in. This arbi traitor might be a buyer next day, when the buyer for whom he arbitrated might be called in to arbitrate for him. There was frequently a proportion of damaged meat in a cargo, but a great deal of the damage done at present could be avoided, and a great deal of the damage claimed against the insurance companies did not exist. TnE MEAT TRADE GENERALLY. In reply to a general question as to the meat, trade, Mr Mackenzie said that it was certainly in a better position now than ever it was , before. The prejudice against New Zealand meat was dying out, and the time wav not far distant whsn that prejudice" would disappear altogether. The great thing wan for New Zealand to keep up the quality and grade carefully. Sheepgrowers should endeavour to send as many lambs and " tegs " as po£E : blc. Don't you think it would be a good idea for the freezing businesses in the colony to combine in order to conserve their own interests? " Yes," replied Mr Mackenzie ; " I do. At present meat is consigned to far too many agents. The market is often demoralised by men who sell at a price they have no right to sell at. But I have great hopes that in the near future our meat trade will be conducted on better lines." What do you think about the proposal to erect cold stores at the docks at- a cost of £40.000 or so? . "I do not think a great deal of that. The Victoria- stores: are practically at the

clacks, and a lot of meat goes right into 'them." ' ' ' ■ | And how about opening stores in the , provincial centres? j " Well, in the present slate of the trade I think the existing channels must be used. The shop opened at Cardiff by the Christchurch Meat Company is a success, and makes a fine show, but one can hardly hope that other shops will be so successful' The difficulty is to obtain good and reliable managers. Those shops that keep the best quality of our lamb and mutton, and sometimes our beef, together with the American chilled meat, have also been very successful." WOOLLEN GOODS. Speaking of sheep brings us to our woollen goods. What do you think of our prospects in this direction? " That is an important subject," said MiMackenzie. "At the time of the Jubilee the Mosgiel Company sent Home four or five cases of its goods, comprising blankets, rugs, shawls, 'flannels, and shirtings, but could find no market for them. Subsequently I arranged for a display of the goods at the Imperial Institute, and got a number of wholesale soft-goods people to inspect them. Those, gentlemen expressed an opinion that there was a, good market for the higher class of goods, but that the lower class were hardly equal to the Home stuff. I succeeded, ■ however, in selling the whole of the shipment. The purchasers expressed .satisfaction, and since then asked me if in certain lines they could obtain rebates. This shows that there is a good market at Home for the best quality of this clasa of goods. I may say that among the buyers were Messrs Bradbury and Greatarex, Cook and Son, Whiteley (the Universal Providers), and others, and their opinion should carry some weight." ' TRADE WITH MANCHESTER. Mr Mackenzie is" strongly of opinion that direct communication with Manchester would be beneficial to the colony, especially in connection with dairy produce and frozen mutton. Direct shipments of wheat, he said, might be sent to Hull and Liverpool, but the difficulty was tq.jjet the shipping companies to take up the project. FEDERATION. Passing on to this subject, Mr Mackenzie said the Federal movement was looked upon with great favour in Great Britain, as a step towards a wider Federation. It was 'a large question for New Zealand, but he had np hesitation in saying that he thought this colony, with proper safeguards, should join in the movement. There was no doubt that it was the great combinations that made their way in the world in these days, whether they were individuals or nations. He did not fear Australasian free-trade, for with our climate, soil, mineral wealth, and many different resources, we should b 9 well able to hold our own. POLITICS. In conclusion, what is your position in regard to politics? • '• Air Mackenzie laughed. " I knew you would ask that question," he said. "I do not know that we should discuss it, but I may say that, owing to the delay of the Papanui, I am afraid I will not be qualified to stand for the House this election. The Premier has been good enough to introduce a Bill to enable colonists who have returned to the colony to regain their privileges. If that Bill passes, I will stand for some constituency — I cannot at present say which — but members of the House, for obvious reasons, I think, are not likely to allow tlfe Bill to pass." Then it wats your intention to re-enter politics? " Yes, I have been carrying out a care-fully-thought-out plan. I feel sure that it \ would be better for the colony if our politicians had a better knowledge of how our agricultural and pastoral products were handled. in London. I have been there to see 'things with my own- eyes, and have come back to give the colony the benefit. I find, however, that, through a stupid Act of Parliament, my privilege of voting and contesting a seat is taken away. It seems to me a most improper thing that a colonist cannot travel without losing his rights as a member of the democracy. I did not 1 sever my connection with the colony in any way. I left my family of five boys in New Zealand. I also left all my property here and paid taxes as usual. I have been to great pains to obtain information that should be given to the House and the country, but some members appear determined not to permit me to take any part in public life." Have you changed your political views sines you left the colony? "My general principles are practically the same, but a wider experienco has, in ! some respects, modified views which I held before, as you may infer from my remarks about the land tenure in London." _ Then may I ask what lines you will adopt if you do go into politics again? "I will deal largely -with trade and commerce, and endeavour to formulate a policy '' to push the colony's interests in that direction further than has been done before. I will go as far as possible into the production and preparation oi goods in the colony, and the handling of them at the other end. > I will endeavour to find new markets, to open up our land, to make our scenic at- ; tractions more attractive to tourists, and ; to induce men of wealth and enterprise to settle in our country. In the interests of ; the workers, wealth should be encouraged ! and retained. If there is wealth in the country it is bound to be used, and that ! means the employment of the people. The ■ fact is that the working classes are as much J interesteS in, the retention of capital as are j capitalists, because it is easier for capital I to be removed than for the workers to follow it." You evidently have an earnest desire to re-enter politics? "Yes. Not for politics' sake, but in order to cany out some necessary commercial reforms. To focus my present position, however, I believe the people of the country want me, but many members of Parliament do not." Mr Mackenzie wished to acknowledge .the kindness of the. Farmers' Co. -operative Association in allowing him such a free hand, not only to promote the interests of the frozen meat trade, but of anything pertaining to the colony. ~ J