The Evening Star TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1873

Evening Star, Issue 3275, 19 August 1873, Page 2

The Evening Star TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1873

The New Zealand Herald of the Gth instant publishes some interesting information on the prospects of trade with the Fiji Islands. It confirms the views we have so frequently expressed in regard to cultivating communication with the islands of the Pacific, and must lead to strong condemnation of the action of the Daily Times and the secret conclave who direct its politics, in aiding those who were interested in suppressing the Californian Mail Service. Yet it remains for Dunedin to determine whether Auckland is to reap the profits of the growing importance of Fiji. The writer of the article is evidently not acquainted with why West Indian sugar was refined in Great Britain, or he would have adduced different reasons for export of sugar from Fiji “ in the rough,” as he terms it. But mistaken though he may be as to the cause, other reasons may probably render it more profitable for the Fijians, for a time at least, to export raw rather than refined sugar. Should this prove to be the more advantageous plan, Dunedin offers superior facilities for sugar refining to Auckland, It has equal means of carrying out the process, better means of disposing of the sugar, and better manufactures to give in exchange. It appears that “The Star of the South ” is the pioneer of the trade. If it is worth cultivating by the merchants of Auckland, is it not worth attention by those of Dunedin ? Coal companies, shipping companies, steamboat companies/ and Fijian lines of traders are got up and managed in Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland, while Dunedin tranquilly looks on, content to be second where it should lead. Perhaps on a parity of reasoning the article from the New Zealand Herald may gain attention where one equally forcible from a Dunedin journal would fail to induce notice. With this hope we give the extract from the Herald in its entirety:— The Star of the South, on her last trip from Fiji, was eminently tmccessfuL TSot only did she keep within the contract time, but brought back more than one hundred tons of cargo for this port. For only a second trip this is encouraging, and holds forth the prospects of a permanent and profitable trade between these islands and Auckland. No two countries could be more favorably situated towards each other, or their productions better calculated for exchange. The settlers of Fiji can send us their characteristic fruits, and wc can return those of a more temperate dime. They can produce sugar, but must look elsewhere for their sheep, butter, cheese, hams and bacon, beer, and preserved and salt meats, Wc may import maize, but European beans and vegetables of every kind, Hour and biscuit, may be exported in return. Nor can any manufacturing industry, dependent on the skill and energy of white men, flourish in a tropical climate. A few small open boats and occasionally a small cutter mpy be built there, but it is to the temperate ; climes they must look for their ships, and above

all for their iron work and iron wares. Their country abounds in timber suitable for furniture, but unsuitable for building purposes. Their growing industries demand machinery, while their climate forbids the establishment of iron foundries. It would be quite as easy_ for Auckland to supply them Avith steam-engines and cotton-gins, or with machinery for cleaning the Ranie and Manilla hemp fibre as it is to supply our oavh flax mills. A still greater industry in this respect will be opened in the export of sugar-making plant, when the cane becomes, as it most assuredly and in a very short time will become, the staple industry of the islands. Its abundant and easy groAvi.li have long been known, and we are happy to find that the manufacture of excellent sugar is now an established fact. Two mills have been imported from Sydney and erected at Suva—a settlement near the mouth of the ReAva liver. One is already in full work, and we are told will produce 700 tons of sugar in the next feAV months. The first few tons Avero received in Levuka just before the Star of the South left, and Avere selling there at fivepence to fivepence halfpenny per pound. Hundreds of acres of laud are already planted _in various parts of the group, and only the capital is wanted to rank these islands among the foremost sugar producing countries of the world. The Mauritius, Avhich could be put into a corner of cither of the two large islands of Fiji, and is equalled in size by several of the others, exports about 120,000 tons yearly. The soil of Mauritius is not to be compared in fertility with that of Fiji, Avhile it requires an import of thousands of tons of guano to revive its exhausted powers. Not only are the rich alluvial river beds of Fiji available, but the rivers and the long line of coast, with its harbors sheltered by coral reefs, afford a natural highway, along which small steamers and small sailing craft Avill do the work that horses and carts are required to do elsewhere. On the plantations these old means of transport will still be wanted to harvest the cane. Horses cannot be advantageously reared, and offer to us an order-inviting export. So also Avith cattle. They thrive avcll and flourish on the long rank grass, or the leaves of the undergrowth in the dense bush. But as neither the cotton nor the sugarplantationsare fenced, stock must be confined, and its quantity always limited. Sheep do not thrive ; neither the food nor the climate suits thorn, nor need this be a matter of concern to the residents Avhilo sheep can be obtained, of a superior quality, at a distance of only a ftuv days’ sea voyage, from Auckland. It will be seen Avhat abundant resources these islands possess, and what an inviting market they offer for our produce. At so short a distance, and Avith winds and sea in our favor, it ought to go hard if avg do not make the most of our advantages, and secure them among our best and most profitable customers. As their planters increase in Avealth and resources they Avill be glad to avail themselves of the vicinity of Auckland in the education of their children, and as a sanitarium during the hot season for themselves. Nor must we lose sight of the rich field for commerce Avhich they offer, if we can also become the depot Avhence their supplies of European and American manufactures are draAvn, and to which their cotton and copra, and similar exports are sent for transhipment. With nothing but agricultural industry to depend upon, no great toAvns or great commerce can grow up in Fiji. Their depots must be in the outer world, and it is even doubtful Avhether they will not find it more profitable to export the rough sugar, leaving it to be refined here. The West Indies have always pursued this plan, and it is only the great distance from any possible refinery, and from the English market, that has induced the Mauritius planters to take an opposite course. Great supplies of labor Avill be required, "but, witli Chinese and Indian, coolies available, this will offer only a temporary difficulty. Given a Government, in Avhose power to see them justly treated confidence can be placed, and the Indian authorities would at once sanction engagements with coolies in the same Avay as they have done for the West Indies, for Mauritius, and for Natal. Hitherto the Government recently established has made much progress in securing this confidence. If it succeed, well and good ; if not, the Imperial Government, which has for the last two years kept a man-of-war constantly in the group, is noAv too far committed to retreat, and must proclaim British sovereignty for the protection of their subjects settled there, and to Avhom they have just officially refused poAver to withdraw the allegiance Avhich England claims from them. Looked at in any light, these islands offer to us a most inviting field for trade and for the enterprise of our people. We hail, therefore, Avith great pleasure, the successful result, so far,of the experiment made by the Auckland Steam Shipping Company. It will give us equal pleasure to hear of the establishment of the projected Fiji Bank. This enterprise is hoav safely launched, and awaits only the concessions due to those who undertake it, and which Ave should think, the Fiji Government and people Avould only be too ready to grant. The elections for the new Fijian Parliament will soon be over, and the result of the negotiations in Auckland of their Finance Minister, Dr. Clarkson, be submitted to it. If the final arrangements to be then made are satisfactory, banking operations will be at once begun, and with them Avill begin new ties and a new commerce, connecting Auckland in the closest intercourse Avith these prolific islands for centuries to come.