H.—341

28

business with the colony on most advantageous terms. It may be that the trade in these is governed by the same conditions as govern the export of wool, in wiiich case any diversion of trade to other markets, however beneficial such might prove to exporters, will only be accomplished by slow degrees. 6. Grain and Seeds. There is a good market for these at Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, and Glasgow. New Zealand oats in particular are highly prized for their superior quality. As, however, our production is limited, and is likely to remain so for some time, there seems to be no immediate utility in considering how the export may be increased. IX. GROWTH OF TRADE. The direct steamer service to west-coast ports was inaugurated in 1904 —the earlier steamers calling at London before proceeding to Avonmouth and the other western ports. The first steamer to go to w ; est-coast ports direct was the " Suffolk," which arrived at Avonmouth on the 11th August, 1904, after a voyage of ten weeks' duration by way of Australia and Cape Town. It may be useful to recall the principal items of her cargo, which were as follows : —

There were also comprised in her cargo quantities of -wheat, peas, beans, bran, and timber, consigned to Cardiff, Liverpool, and Glasgow. This was a very fair beginning, but the quantities of produce carried by successive steamers have gone on increasing, and the trade has now assumed very respectable proportions. I cannot do better than present in a series of tables the growth of trade to the five west-coast ports in our staple products. It is necessary to explain that there were no more than ten sailings of steamers in 1904, and that the statistics for 1907 are only up to the end of October. I present the figures, which are compiled from the ships' papers kindly placed at my disposal: —

Exports to the Port of Bristol, 1904 to 1907.

The noteworthy feature about the foregoing table is the continuous and remarkable growth in the exportations of butter and cheese to Bristol. The increase in frozen meat is also considerable.

Exports to the Port of Cardiff (including Barry), 1904 to 1907.

Cardiff has also been a considerable importer of wheat and other cereals, but that trade has not developed, on account of the steamers ceasing to call at that port. It will be observed that no trade whatever is credited to Cardiff for the year 1907. Palpably, however, there is a large amount of business to be done with Cardiff if it could be made a port of call. The trade has not, of course, ceased since the steamers stopped calling, but most of the goods for Cardiff are now unloaded at Avonmouth and forwarded by rail, a proportion going by way of London.

Port. Carcases Mutton. Carcases Lamb. Crates Rabbits. Boxes Butter. Saoks Oats. Bristol Liverpool... ilasgow ... 722 9,026 2,002 3,359 17,614 1,084 Nil 14,165 Nil 250 Nil Nil Nil. 3,232 2,685 Totals 11,750 22,057 14,165 250 5,917

Year. Caroases Mutton. Carcases Lambs. Boxes Butter. Cases Cheese. Crates Rabbits. Bales Hemp and Tow. Bales Wool. L904 L905 1906 L907 10,527 3,436 18,914 24,000 17,254 47,554 43,375 92,322 500 8,298 28,323 76,102 Nil 223 5,028 21,409 150 350 7,801 3,430 Nil Nil 1,095 652 Nil. Nil. Nil. 168 Totals 56,877 200,505 113,223 71,660 11,731 1,747 168

Year. Carcases Mutton. Carcases Lamb. Boxes Butter. Crates Rabbits. 1904 1905 1906 1907 1,601 Nil 1,397 Nil 11,907 4,692 18,515 Nil 264 Nil 2,274 Nil 150 7,977 500 Nil. Totals 2,998 35,114 2,538 8,627