THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1881. TRAFFIC ON THESE SEAS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2402, 16 December 1881, Page 2

THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1881. TRAFFIC ON THESE SEAS.

A coksideeable addition to ships, both war ships and traders, may be expected to he shortly seen in these seas. Not only are England and other European nations turning their attention to profitably investing surplus capital in sending vessels to compete with existing lines, hut it is probable that the United States is awakening from its long lethargy respecting its war and mercantile marine and intends soon to take a now departure. Last month, in adverting to the circular issued by Mr. Blaine, Secretary of State for the United States, announcing that his Government insisted on that country having complete political control of the Panama Canal, we suggested that it was more than probable that the American nation, with its proverbial eye to business, intended to utilise such control for the purpose of fostering its sea trade, which has been reduced to so low a level, principally through the mistaken protectionist views held in the States. And now we find, from news by the mail, that onr American cousins are about to abandon their policy with regard to their war marine and increase their navy. That policy has hitherto been a waiting one. At the time of the Civil War the Americans first introduced iron-clad vessels, but they were rough-and-ready concerns, and their constructors were the first to perceive that they had merely hit on a principle and had not thoroughly worked it out. The war being settled, no further exertions in this line wore deemed necessary, for the States were not considered liable to bo involved in any struggle with a maritime power, and it was thought hatter to wait and see the iron-clad problem solved at other countries’ expense. But it is probably beginning to dawn on the Americans that the sum is a recurring one, that if they wait until it is thoroughly worked out, they will have to wait till doomsday, and that meanwhile they will bo compelled to take up a very low position in the scale of nations powerful at sea. This evidently does not suit the book of an ambitions people, and hence the intention to make a new start. In duo course of time, then, we may expect that the influence exerted by America iu

the Pacific will bo very considerably greater than it is at present, and, with its developed interests, there may bo expected to arise lines to various parts of these seas under American supervision. Referring to the embarkation of European capital in ships trading in these parts, it may be noted that the Messageries Maritimos, which is subsidised by the French Government, will commence running to these colonies and -N'exv Caledonia in February next, while the German Lloyd’s are also said to contemplate a monthly line. But a subject more immediately interesting to New Zealand is the avowed intention of the Peninsular and Oriental Company to enter into competition in the New Zealand trade. Matters, at all events, have gone so far that an inspector has been over to see how the land lies. The fact of the matter is that the increase of passenger and other traffic to New Zealand is beginning to attract attention, and the P. and O. Company think that they may as well have their share in it. At present anyone going to England by that deservedly popular line has frequently to wait some time in Melbourne or Sydney before ho can gain a passage. With the Orient Company it is different. They have an arrangement with the Union Company by which passengers can at once proceed on their voyage without unnecessary delay. Of course this tells severely against the older company, and has induced it to see whether it cannot mend matters. The Auckland “ Herald,” in alluding to this scheme of the P. and O. Company, thinks it improbable that the Company contemplate taking up the New Zealand and Australian trade as a separate speculation, but it considers that they have been chiefly influenced by the possibility of utilizing some of their smaller vessels, displaced by those of more modern constrnction, and also by the belief of the necessity of increasing the ramifications of their trade. But whatever may have been the reasons which have induced the Company to send an inspector into these parts, one thing is very certain, namely, that the public generally will gain by increased competition, should a new line be started. Considering that the Union Company has no competition, the manner in which their passenger traffic is managed is in the highest degree creditable. But nevertheless people travelling on these coasts would not be sorry to see increased accommodation provided. Ships are unavoidably overcrowded, notwithstanding all regulations to the contrary, and passengers have to put up with much discomfort. New Zealand, and particularly this island, is proud of the Union Company, and it is an indication of the enormous development of our resources that such a Company should be maintained here. But nevertheless competition is the soul of business, and another well-organised Company plying boats on these coasts would add materially to the welfare of the public. It does not indeed appear that the P. and O. Company have definitely settled anything in respect to the New Zealand trade, but the fact of an inspector having been sent out here is an indication of the interest taken in our trade in influential quarters, and it possibly foreruns the establishment of a new line. It would appear that the extending of the branches of the P. and O. line is much more feasible than the establishment of direct steam communication with England as contemplated by Mr. Macandrew and others. Should the P. and O. project eventuate and direct American enterprise also reach those shores, travelling in these seas will benefit greatly by the additional facilities so afforded