DIRECT TRADE ROUTE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2652, 6 November 1909, Page 7

DIRECT TRADE ROUTE.

TO BRISTOL AND MONTREAL

EXFAXSION-OF AUCKLAND PORT

The proposals for the establishment of direct communication between New Zealand and Bristol, and New Zealand and the Atlantic .seaboard of Canada, find a warm adivocate in Mr B. Kent, president of the- Auckland Chamber of Commerce. In coarse of conversation with a “New Zealand Herald” reporter, Mr Kent .gave his reasons for favoring the establishment of these new trade connections.

“It is certainly 'highly desirable,” said Mr Kent, “that our merchants should try their utmost to expand their trade through such a port as .Bristol, and so reach the western portion of Great Britain. Great concentration is still made, with London as the port of concentration, and it would undoubtedly be to the advantage of shippers in Now Zealand, and importers in the western counties of Great Britain, if produce could be sent to some such port as Bristol, and so avoid over-concentration in London, with its possible evils of depressing market va-' lues. It follows that by adopting the method indicated, the cost of distribution would be greatly reduced. Moreover, I think it is a fair argument to assum© that if we could thoroughly open up business direct with Bristol we could reach many markets which at present know New Zealand only ill name.’ ’ Speaking of the proposal to establish a line of steamers between Montreal and Auokland, Mr Kent said:--“It is very desirable from every point of view. M 7 e ought to have LI) times the exchange trade with Canada we have, and I should hail with great pleasure any steps that might be taken, to establish a direct service with such a great and rapidly developing country. I feel that M. de Schryver, who represents the Canadian Manufacturers Association in Auckland, is the right man for the work he has to do, and so far as the Auckland Chamber of Commerce is concerned, I am quite sure we shall do everything possible to help in the great movements lie ana others are trying to inaugurate. Auckland is on the eve of wonderful shipping developments, and by determined, energetic work on the part of our merchants, supported by Canadian houses of standing, it should be quite possible to establish such a basis of exchange trade between New Zealand, and Canada as would he mutually beneficial to the two countries, and that in no small decree. The movement Bnstolwaids to the west of England is hardly second in importance, and these, development,together with -the advent ot the p and 0. steamers, and the re-estab lishment of the San rranciscomailservice would give Auckland just the lift Is a port in the southern 'seas which Nature always indicated she should -have and of which she cannot l>e deprived by any combination ot circumstances.”