AUCKLAND AND THE ISLAND TRADE.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 4, Issue 169, 23 October 1880, Page 2

AUCKLAND AND THE ISLAND TRADE.

"We are glad to leKrn the New Zealand Weekly News that there ia »Vsry prospect of the trade between Auckland and the islands the Fiji and thu Tonga Groups being established on a substantial basis. Mr. Lodder, the mauager of tin Auckland Steam Navigation Company, has beon able during his stay in Fiji to muke satisfactory and permanent arrangements. Sir Arthur Gordon informed hi in that ho would strongly recommend to tlio Secretary of State for tlio Colonics to grant a subsidy of £IOO per month on account of Fiji for the maintenance of tlio steam service between Auckland and Fiji, and would also grunt u remission of the port charges, amounting to from £lO to £l6 per month; Anangementsitr"nlsnin progress by which the steamer from Aucklnud will connect'tit Levuka with the Australian'Steutu Navigation Company's steamer Oceau Queen, which runs to Tonga. As we have before stated, arrangements have been mndo at this end with the Union Steam Shipping Company to transmit from Auckland all Island produce, brought there. Sir Arthur Gordon has manifested great interest in the subject, being well aware that it is of vital importunes to Fiji that a good and ready market should be found for her products. In the Islands tho prospects are encouraging. The land difficulties are being got over, and capital is' being invested in the cultivation of sugar and other tropical products. 'The estate of the Melbourne Sugar Company it. being rapidly improved. To centre a largo portion of the South Sea Island trade hero it only requires that the small subsidy asked from the New Zealaud Parliament should be voted.and of this there is, we apprehend, no doubt whatever.