The Daily News. THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1903 DIRECT TRADE WITH SYDNEY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 73, 26 March 1903, Page 2

The Daily News. THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1903 DIRECT TRADE WITH SYDNEY.

Undoubtedly the mesh important question iust now in New Plymouth and indeed Taranaki, is the establishment of a direct line of steamers to Sydney." It may be said that a reply from the Union Steamship Company to tho representations of the deputation which waited upon the lochl of the Company should be a<Vi>itad ; but we are not of tha f opinion, If the people of this ari in earnest in this matter something should be done to assist the Company in coming to the decision to give effec to the wishes of the deputation. If we understood the tone of the deputation arigh 1 -, and we believe they were expressing the feeling of the people of 1 the district, tho deputation wap an in- | tim ition to the Union Company that the time is ripe for the initiation of a direct service with Sydney, and that a reply in the negative will noli be accepted. This may appear a very blunt w<iy of putting it, but it is just as well that the Union Com piny realise the position. Taranaki has reached a position which entitles it to bi heard, and to decline to play second fiddle to other places. Nowhere is tha enterprise of the Union Company more appreciated than in Taranaki. ana the assistance that the company has given in developing the trade of the port is recognised freely. What is asked now is that the companj show the same confidence it hss always shown in Tarimaki, and put on a regular service from the breakwater to Sydoey". In view of all the circumstances the request i 3 not an unreasonable otie, and we feel sure no one wl o knows the district will bive any doubt but that it will be a great success if given a fair trial. This means that it must be regular and permanent. If the service were established for 12 months, to run at least fortnightly, there is little doubt but that it would sncceed, as farmers and producers generally would then have sufficient tnc.m agement to grow and raise stock and produce for shipment. Although we trust and hope the Union Company will be able to see its way to establish the servicp, what are the alternatives in tho event of their refusing to do so? There are two, one to approach seme other company, and • he otLer to charter a steamer. When it is considered the wealth reprf sented by the farmois cf Taramki, the cost of chattering a steamer of, s>y, 1200 to 1500 tons, would not he very great for a period of twelvo mooths, If the Associated Dairy Companies, tho two Dairy Produce Fieezing Works, and the Waitara Freezing Works were to unite U e charter of a steamer would amount to a very small sum per share after deducting earnings, at.d a single sleamp could do a fortnightly set vie ■ very comfortably, We do not anticipate any necessity for this, ttill no harm would be done in making inquiriop. The principal difficulty with th)Unio-i Company will be to convince "nem that cargo will be forthcoming in sufficient quantities to justify them iu giving the

i Bervice a trh!. We inclined to think that a simll committee of business meu would be able to do invaluable service, if apoointed to inquire into the |b st way of securing a direct steam | service to Sydney. The matter is so urgent and important that no time 'should b;i lost, and would quite justify I a special meeting of the Chamber of, Commerce or, at any rato, its c mnoil,' to coDsidur 'he matter. The estiblish- j mont of a direct service villi Australia ' is the precursor of a direct service Home, and, until both these are established, New Plymouth must take a very small place in the commercial world. Our f-hippirg telegrams show that tbej But si-irp, of 8000 tons, calls at Timaru, an i he lonic, of 12,000 tons, calls at 'Gihbjrte, while New Plymouth is in j the tame position, as regards the fi'at of k iwrutrs calling, as it was 20 years ago, yet the natural advantages of Tiaiaru and Gisborue are not one bit. betfc' r than New Plymouth. If this ques inn of direct steam service is to be brought to u successful conciueion it will only b* <!• i;e !>y the paopla uniting in the determination to force it through at all costs.