THE ISLAND TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 36, 2 July 1914, Page 5

THE ISLAND TRADE.

IMPROVED SHIPPING FACILITIES REQUIRED.

ISLANDERS HELPING THEMSELVES,

By Telegraph—Press Association.

Auckland, Last Night.

The Herald's Nukualofa correspondent says that local people find in existing steamer arrangements a never-ending subject for criticism. All classes are affected. The trader suffers on account of high rates of freight; the native is debarred from shipping his produce; and the remainder of the community feels the hardness of conditions brought about by increased' passage money. Under the old arrangements fruit could be snipped without difficulty. Goods ordered from Auckland could be landed within a fortnight, and the return saloon fare from Tonga to Auckland was £l3 'los, as against the present single passage money of £l4 10s. It seems that an attempt is to be made to alter these conditions by a rival s'hipping company putting on a steamer that will follow' a time-table of more general benefit to this kingdom, and in-, cidentally the Auckland merchants doing business with our traders. Captain 0 C. Andersen, who is well-known throughout the Pacific, is at the head of the venture. He is promised practieaJy the whole of the trading support of the group, and the Tongan Government has offered a fairly large subsidy. Captain Andersen leaves for Europe shortly to bring out the steamer, which is to be of modern design, and specially built with a view to carrying fruit.