THE UNION STEAMSHIP COMPANY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1491, 26 November 1878, Page 3

THE UNION STEAMSHIP COMPANY.

The Dunedin “ Herald ” has the following remarks on the recent purchase by the Union Company :—lt must be to tiro public of this colony, and especially to the public of this province, matter for congratulation that the lino of steamers trading from New Zealand lo Melbourne and Sydney, has passed into the hands of a New Zealand company. It had long been felt that such a consummation was lo bo desired—prominent businessmen in this colony considering that the carrying trade between New Zealand and Australia, ami virr 'rrr.su, should be in our own hands, in order that the profits accruing, and the expenditure in connection therewith, should bo kept in our ports j and furthermore, because of the advantages which would arise in many ways by the head-quarters of the line being in ibis colony. It lias been a subject for regret that New Zealand has derived so little benefit from this line of steamers, which was drawing a large revenue from our commercial communitii s, and expending its revenue in Melbourne, hardly anything being purchased for the line in this colony. The steamers which the Union Steamship Company, Limited, have purchased from Messrs M’Meckan, Blackwood, and Co,, are, as have been reported, the Ilingarooma, the A rawata, the T»rarun, and the Albion. The Union Steamship Company (Limited) will it tain the use of the Clttui Hamilton for a few months, till their

new steamer arrives. Meantime, we understand, the present mode of running will be continued; but, as soon as the new boats arrive, it is proposed that each steamer shall make a complete round trip, proceeding from Melbourne to the BluJf, and on up the East Const as far as Auckland, and thence to Sydney. We believe the travelling public will hail with satisl'ac ion the change, and that it will result in the still further development of the Australian trade. As evidence of the reasonableness of this anticipation, we may point to the Sydney trade, which has been so largely developed by the company during the last twelve months, and which now is understood to give returns of a most satisfactory kind. The Company’s present expenditure at our ports amounts to about £20,000 per month ; and although a good deal of the expenditure upon their new lino of boats will still be made in Melbourne, from the fact of its being a terminal port, yet through the company supplying their vessels in this colony and repairing them here, a further expenditure of £3OOO or £4OOO per mouth will be diverted into local channels. The directors of the Union Steamship Company (Limited) are to be congratulated upon their latest addition, and it is a favorable auspice that the Albion—the first vessel they have taken over—is coming down a full ship in cargo and passengers.