THE FIJI ISLANDS TRADE.

Southland Times, Issue 927, 3 April 1868, Page 5

THE FIJI ISLANDS TRADE.

(From the " Melbourne Morning Herald. ) A number of merchants and other g;entlem n connected with the commercial interest in the city met yesterday afternoon, at the board-room of the Hall of Commerce, for the purpose of ascertaining whether, in the present crisis of affairs in Fiji, any steps could be taken to secure the trade of those islands for this port. Mr Geb. Martin, the president of the association, occupied the chair. The prospectus of the Fiji Banting and > Trading Company was distributed among those present — between twenty and thirty ; in number. It set forth the following statements : — " The company is projected,-, as its title indicates, for the purpose of banking and trading in the Fiji Islands. It will not compete with, but, on the con- ■■; trary, assist in developing existing in - terests, by affording facilities to planters . and tradera in the group, by making advances in cash and goods on produce and other securities ; by directly purchasing or undertaking the shipmentand disposal of produce; and by indenting or directly importing goods requir ed in the islands. In order to obtain an advantageous and supreme standing in Fiji, the company will negotiate with the Fijian Government for the liquidation of the Fijian debt to the United States. Before making such advance the Company will be amply secured for the outlay by cessions in land, either in fee-simple or in trust, and by an assignment of taxes. The Company would also require to be rewarded by a monoply for the issuing of notes as legal tender in the group, and by- such other rights and privileges as may be deemed reasonable*: The projectors have ascertained the willingness of the Fijian Government to enter into the proposed arrangement, and have secured the hearty co-operation of the most influential residents in Fiji." Mr Martin introduced Mr Cairns to the meeting. That gentleman said that Mr Karl Van Damme, British Vice-consul in Fiji, would have been present to give them certain information in reference to the islands, but he being a member of the Civil Service, was precluded by the rules from taking part in the movement, he desired Mr ■J. Cairns to open the proceedings by stating that it would be necessary to take immediate steps in the matter, as the American Government were determined to enforce their claims, and take possession of Angua, Garo, and Mhatiki, on the Ist of May. When the writer left the island in 1861, the adult white population only numbered 166. The total exports in 1860 only amounted to £8000, consisting cheifly of cocoanut oil, beche-de-mer, tortoise shell, and cocoa fibre; while the last reports of the British consul gave the population in 1867 as 550 whites ; the natives numbering 300,000, being scattered over about 300 is ands. The exports were about £72,920; of these £60.000 was represented by cotton alone, and £320 by wool. No cotton or wool had been exported when the writer left the islands. The first export of cotton commenced in 1864-5. Until the middle of 1860 the white population consisted chiefly of run-away whalers, late shipwrecked sailors, or convicts ; but since then the character and number of the immigrants had improved. The prosperity of the people had not improved, in consequence of the want of a circulating medium, and of the accomodation afforded by banks to enable the grower to act advances on his cotton. It was proposed to establish a bank atLevuka for the deposit of the capital belonging to the white residents. The capital required would be £50,000 in £1 shares. It was also intended to combine with the bank a wholesale trading company. . The first demand would be for £16,000, with which to pay off the American claims, if no better compromise could :be made. The next, a sum of from £8000 or £10,00, for investment in trade suitable in the islands, in the shape of British manufac- | tured goods, groceries, flour, and stores of all kinds : £5000 in cash for use in the islands ; and the balance as a deposit in the bank in Melbourne as security for drafts drawn against produce, <fee., and issue of local notes above those guaranteed by the Government. The profits of the company would arise from the liberal interest which King .Thakombau would only be too glad to pay, instead of handing over the islands to the American Government. The right to issue notes in Fiji would be allowed. The speaker also said that the cotton tree in Fiji bore two crops, so a large return might soon be expected. The British and American consuls encouraged the project of the company. The speaker then read a letter received from Mr Van Damme, from which it appeared that the government of the island was perfectly established by the exertions of the late British consul : j and Thakombau was recognised monarch : [ a white gentleman (Mr St. John) was Secretary of State: and a black police had been organized. The influences which rule supreme in the islands were i the British consulate and the Wesleyan J mission, and these powers were in favor of the project. If the company were I formed, it would become the principal power in the group. The planting interest was quite new. . Last year the I British consul estimated the crop, as worth £60,000; and this year it would be more than doubled. It would go on I increasing, and the future, exports would be sugar, coffee, and tobacco. The Fiji King's Government would, in the opinion of the writer, be able to giye full security for the. required advance, and the interest could be paid from the taxes, and from the plantations of the King and principal chiefs. Labor cost only from £2 to £3 per annum, which is paid in goods. The King of the Fijis will not resist the Americans should he not be able to satisfy their claim ; but if he could pay the money, he would not lose his sovereignty. The writer went on to say that in a few years the Fijis would be more important than the Mauritius, and before long a good dividend would be paid by the company. The purchases of land in. Fiji were

ratified by the Government and registered by the British consul ; and a tax of £1 per head was paid by each adult in the colony. Mr W. H. OH. Brewer, of Bungowanab, near Albury, stated that, at the suggestion of Mr Van Damme, he had visitdd the Fiji Islands, and found *hem to be exactly what that gentleman had told him. From the rich and luxuriant nature of the soil — cotton, coffee, sugar, and other articles which were grown in tropical countries, could be produced, and a magnificent return would be made very quickly. He was so certain of the ultimate success of the trade in the islands that he intended to realise his property in Victoria and invest it in the islands. The speaker answered several questions about the products and government of the islands, and expressed it as his opinion that the security given by the King and the G-overnment would be sufficient. He stated that the reason that the Americans had a claim on the islands was that some fourteen years ago the beche-de-mer sheds, houses, &c, belonging to the American residents, were burnt down, and the American Government had demanded a fine of 45,000 dols. as compensation, which, with interest, had now accumulated to L 16,000 sterling. On the Ist of May, if the money was not paid, possession would be taken. Mr John Lord then moved — " That this meeting having heard the statements and explanations from the gentlemen personally acquainted with the character of the Fijis, and the prospects of a banking and commercial company such as that projected by Messrs Brewer and "V an Damme, are of opinion, that the project deserves encouragement and support oe behalf of the commercial community of Melbourne." The motion was not seconded, and the meeting closed, after of a vote of thanks to the gentlemen who had given the information in reference to the islands.