The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1903. DIRECT TRADE WITH SYDNEY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 78, 31 March 1903, Page 2

The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1903. DIRECT TRADE WITH SYDNEY.

In our shipping columns- on Monday we made a suggestion that the Upslu when arriving at New Plymouth should run te Sydrey from the breakwater, another steamer being placed on the run fo as to maintain the fortnightly service between Dunedin and this port and establish the much to be desired direct serv'ce with Sydney. Wneo the proposal was made that the Union Company be asked to establish this service it was recognised that that enterprising company was being asked to do a great deal; but the barn-fit of such a service was felt to be so apparent that no doubt was felt of its ultimate success. Still the of placing steamers on this route (two of which, at least, would be necessary) was admi'tedly great and the question was whether the Union Company would stand in and take the risk. The suggestion to run the steamers through from Dunedin to Sydney and vice versa, making New Plymouth the last port of call on departure and the first port of call on arrival, will, we feel su : e, remove the element of fin ineial risk entirely. It does more ;it gives Dunecfin and all the intermediate ports an additional service to the Commonwealth. This will be a gr. at boon to all these ports and should go a iong way to disarm opposition to the establishment of the service. As we mentioned, the running of the steamer from Dunedin would put the southern producer in a very favourable position, for shipping to Australia, and at the sime time give Taranaki the benefit of direct trade. Teranaki has no desire to shut out produce from other parts of New Zealand, but to have a direct steamer to Australia, and so save the heavy transhipping charges now in vogue. Taranaki produce, in the pait, has never bad fair play, and this is all we ask for it, and are determined to secure, Its qualitv will enable it to compete successfully with the produce from any part of the colony, all other things being equal, and this is what we are now asking for. We feel sure that if the Union Company will put on steamers, thus giving direct trade to and from Sydney in the manner we have suggested, the result will be a surprising success. The same with imports ; there will be no difficulty in getting a full ship if through freights are charged from Sydnty to Duntdin, via New Plymouth and the intermediate ports. Such a service would be a success from the start, and be a very popular one with both merchants and passengers. The' benefit of a regular service has been shown ia the Upolu's New Plymouth service, and we have little doubt but that the service to Sidney would soon draw) passengers from as far south as Palmerston North, Napier, and Auckland. Indeed, we look for a considerable quantity of cargo, and even passengers joining the steamers here from Onehunga by the Union and Northern boats, thus saving the trip round the North Cape. The advantages of the srrvice are so great that something should be done every day to secure its establishment, and to bring its beneficial effects under the notice of all concerned.