The Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1905. OUR INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11647, 26 August 1905, Page 4

The Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1905. OUR INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE.

In presenting his fourth annual statement to Parliament, the Minister for Industries and Commerce (Sir J. G. Ward) states that the policy of keeping the products of the colony prominently before the consuming public of the world is being steadily followed, and that special attention is being paid to the supplying of all manner of commercial information relative to the resources of the colony. There can be no doubt that in a' producing country such as New Zealand undoubtedly is the question of transport of produce to tlie different markets is of paramount importance, and discussing this point the Minister states that the present contract for freight of dairy produce is to be determined and a new contract is being negotiated at reduced rates. Sir Joseph urges that careful -supervision should be kept by the Department over all developments in regard to freights, and when the interests of the colony's producers are being inimically affected it should speak with no uncertain sound, and if necessary the colony should step in and insure that freights be maintained at reasonable rates. The present contract for the South African service terminates in October next, and no intimation has yet been received from the contractors as to whether it is their intention to continue the service after that time. Its discontinuance will be a heavy loss to the producers of the colony and to those enterprising traders who have built up trade with South Africa by this opportunity, and it is to be hoped the Government will be able to make arrangements- for carrying it on. It is satisfactory -to hear that the steam services to and from the West Coast ports of the United Kingdom liave developed trade both ways in a most satisfactory manner, and as far as the Minister can judge the time is not far off when the trade promoted by this service will assume such dimensions as will warrant the contractors supplying a direct service,- and not as at present via South Africa. Should that be done, Sir Joseph looks forward with confidence to a still greater increase in the business now being done. The contractors, in response to his representations, signified their intention to reduce the freight on butter from Jd to fd per lb. If, in addition, direct sailings were provided, there seems every probability v of a very large share of the export of dairy produce finding its way out of the colony at greater reduced rates than has hitherto prevailed. Should the reduction in butter freights become general, it would mean" a saving of freight on the colony's output of butter to the

extent of ,£60,000 per annum, and the placing of the colony on the same footing regarding freight on butter as is enjoyed by our Australian neighbours. The Minister is fully alive to the possibilities of trade in the East, and he urges the neoeßSitj, »b soon as the -present -exei-fce-ment in the East is over, of making overtures to one or more of th&, shipping companies trading there to extend their services to this colony. "Once we have a line of steamers connecting with the markets of Japan, China, and Manila," he says, "I am convinced we shall find a satisfactory outlet for a portion of almost everything this colony produces." Regarding the failure of the attempt to bring the Vancouver service to New Zealand, the Minister expresses the opinion that some vigorous policy should be adopted with the object of promoting trade and interchange with Canada. He has no hesitation in stating that with a direct steam cargo service to and from Canada and reasonable freights a very large increase of trade both ways could be effected.i.*Tlie question of the marketing 6f } . the ' colony's produce is one that requites- earnest consideration. Under the present conditions the disposal of the colony's 'produce is in too many hands. This question and the matter of freight oh produce as compared with countries whose position is more favourable will require to bo faced very seriously in the future if this colony's producers are to get the best results from their different industries.