PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. Saturday, October 29, 1881.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 992, 29 October 1881, Page 2

PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. Saturday, October 29, 1881.

Doubtless the recent gold, discovery at Fiji will awaken a new interest in that interesting country. It may be that thousands will, ere long, flock there in the hope of finding an El Dorado, which they have failed - to discover elsewhere. Should that be the case—and experience has taught us that.neither distance, nor danger, nor climate will deter the really adventurous —it will be well for us northern New Zealanders to look to our interests, and see that the increased commerce which must ensue upon a large influx of people, is not diverted, to Sydney or elsewhere. And' here we think we may see a kind of prophetic wisdom in the recent action of the Union Steam Shipping Company in their inserting the thin end of the wedge by purchasing the Southern Cross steamer, and replacing her by a larger and more commodious boat—the Taiaroa. The Union Company may be called hard names for monopolising everything—or most things, seaborne—to itself; but it is certainly 1 entitled to credit in its late enterprise, while, as Auckland is assuredly most likely to be the port of call and departure, it cannot be said that, in this instance, the interests of Otago—the head quarters of the Company— are to be served before, or at the expense of those of Auckland, or other northern districts. The Union Company, possibly, are more far-seeing than the producers of New Zealand. They recognise the fact that it is not only possible, but probable, that, as an extension of the commercial relations between this Colony and Fiji, is a matter of the greatest moment to both Colonies, the settlers of each will soon., demand a water-carrying capa city commensurate with their requirement. Such being the case, what is Auckland about, what are the settlers, generally, thinking of that there is not more unanimity amongst them, so as to obtain a good outlet for their produce ? Already .this subject has attracted attention in other' parts, and the present advantage northern New. Zealand possesses in its trade with Fiji is being made a matter on which to base an argument in favor of wresting it from our grasp. Thus it is with all enterprises. Competition, if not overdone, ■ is the very essence and foundation of trade and commerce, and we cannot expect to enjoy immunity from the keen competition, that our neighbors in the south are now exercising themselves over. The New Zealand Times thinks that Wellington wants waking up, and it feels assured that there is only needed a

little-earnest co-operation to ensure a y fair share of Fijian trade going to Wellington ; and the fact that in both Letiika and, Suva there is a steady demand all the year round 4, for New Zealand farm and dairy produce, and at.prices which leave a good margin of profit, is one proof alone, among many others, that trade relations of the most satisfactory nature may' be opened up. So far as can be ascertained most of the dairy produce now I consumed‘in Fiji is imported from Auckland, and the supply either in quality or quantity is not equal to the demand, therefore; the Times argues, why cannot Wellington open up a direct import trade, .and, in return, export dairy produce, bacon, hams, potatoes, and grain ? The low prices ruling for all these articles during at least six months of the -year should afford sufficient scope for profitable exchange. It is also worth consideration whether the establishment of a sugar refinery in Wellington would not be a very profitable development, of local industry. -'The offer by the Government of a bonus of £5OO “for three years in succession for the re-, fining each year by machinery estab-

lished in New Zealand of not less than one hundred tons, of cane sugar,” could be earned as easily in Wellington as.in any port of New Zealand, for the raw cane could be imported here as cheaply from the Fiji as to' any other part, and the facilities for distribution of the manufactured article are equally great. This manufacture will, ho doubt, come about in time, even if the bonus goes'elsewhere; but it is of more immediate concern that a greater interchange of trade between this port, and Fiji should ensue. Our agriculturists heed a better outlet for their produce than our local t markets offer them; our merchants find themselves debarred at times from accepting consignments except on very open terms, because of the, difficulty of placing lines with any satisfaction to themselves or the consignees. The idea of co-operative dairying is, we are glad to say, gaining ground, and there is no doubt that when some present difficulties have been surmounted co-operative dairies and joint-stock farming will be accepted as the best and only reliable preventives of agricultural depression, because it is only in united and syste- ‘ niatic action of the kind that the results necessary to ensure the best possible price for farm products can be achieved.