ITALIAN LINE OF STEAMERS TO JAPAN.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 5 July 1901, Page 4

ITALIAN LINE OF STEAMERS TO JAPAN.

In "La Tribuna" (Rome)ofMiy appears a few particulars of an audience given by the King of Italy to Signor Enrico Lisardi, who recently left Sydney on a visit to his native country. "La Tribuna" says Signor Lisadi returned from Sydney, New South Wales, where he haa been residing for some time, for the purpose of studying economic commercial questions, paving special attention to the interests of Italian traders in Australian markets. Signor Lisardi wa3 accorded a private audience with His Majesty. The conversation between King and subject turned on thg condition of Italians in the colonies, and the prospects of Italian commerce there. Signor Lisardi explained to the King that Australia presented a vast field for the developement of Italian com-

merce when certain modifications were i made in system of introducing their goods. In order to give a great impulse to trade \ there should exist a direct line of steamers of good speed, whose freights would favor Italian exporters. Such a line of steamers to Australia should go by way of the Cipe of Good Hope, and thus develop at the same tim9 our commerce in the East. By such a route the heavy expenses for Suez Canal diies wou'd be avoided. The King was very much interested in tho scheme propounded by Sigaor Lisardi, and expressed the hope thai the matter would receive careful consideration. As wo ('La Tribuna') have previously said, the problem of establishing a line of steamers to the Far East has already formed the subject of special study on the part of the Government, and. we have no doubt that tha matter will be pushed forward with alacrity by Signor Galimberti, Minister for Posts' and Telegraphs.