THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. MONDAY, JULY 26, 1880.

Thames Star, Volume XIXI, Issue 3613, 26 July 1880, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. MONDAY, JULY 26, 1880.

The action of the Hall Ministry in placing upon the estimates a sum of money as a subsidy for a steam service between Auckland and Fiji leads to the belief that at last the importance of fostering and encouraging trade with the islands of the Pacific and New Zealand is being recognised. We have frequently written upon the subject since the days when Sir Julius Yogel introduced his scheme for developing the trade with the South Sea Islands and this colony, and have always been of opinion that the commerce of these islands would prove in the future one of the greatest factors in securing to New Zealand that commercial importance, that her natural position and her resources seem to entitle her to. But in order that the trade of the islands may be secured and New Zealand fairly represented in the competition for that trade now so keenly sought after by New South Wales and Victoria, it will be necessary for the State to aid the trader and the merchant.by devoting a sum of money yearly towards securing a regular steam service to and from the islands. In time probably the advantages to the colony of Fiji may induce the Governor of that Colony to grant a small subsidy, or at least divide the amount now paid to a line of steamers to Melbourne. These sums, together with the increasing trade, will no doubt be sufficient to induce the owners of a fleet of steamers to enter upon the enterprise. At present the s.B. Southern Cross, owned by Auckland merchants is in the trade, and as the Government hare accepted the tender of the owners to run the service at a subsidy of £2500 per year, a fair opportunity will be given to our merchants to open up commercial relations with the Colonists of Fiji. It. is scarcely necessary^ to point out how many advantages New Zealand has over the neighbouring colonies, the shortness of the distance alone is a great advantage, the better market in this colony for island produce ; and many other circumstances we might state to Bhow the better position New Zealand occupies in the competition for the trade of the south sea islands. But while this colony is likely to receive the preference, many matters of detail will 1 have to be attended to by our traders ; I matters which must be remedied if future prosperity is to be secured. The trade heretofore between Fiji and this Colony has mainly been confined to Auckland, and the merchants of that city have been so accustomed • to transact business in a way peculiarly their own tha strangers are generally satisfied with their first experience, and are disinclined to venture their goods a second time to the tender mercies of our' princes. From personal observation we can say that the objection in Fiji against trading with New Zealand was that as the whole trade was confined'to the northern capital, but a small market was offered for the produce

of islands ; and in the next place exporters found that, their Roods, by the influence of trade combinations and the organisation of small rings for the special purpose, realised anything but payable prices when placed upon the market. It was suggested as a remedy that facilities should be given to shippers of goods to offer them in the other markets of the colony, by some system being introduced which would enable the steamer trading to the island to visit the southern ports, which would no doubt have a wholesome effect upon the market of Auckland, and would prevent in a measure the combinations complained of. It is probable that considerable truth is in the statements, and if so, it is' no wonder that shippers complain. This then is a matter requiring attention, and is one in which all concerned for our future prosperity as a commercial centre should feel an interest in; for while the Legislature grants funds to encourage and assist in developing our resources, the good that may accrue should not be neutralised by the narrow policy of some of our coloßists, nor should steps be wanting to remedy the evil. This is only one of the many matters of interest to us in New Zealand, in the view of our more intimate relations With the enterprising colonists of one of the youngest members of the great Australian group of colonies under British rule, and ia one while it is a reproach to us as traders, is now calling for more than passing attention. We purpose giving at an early date some papers upon Fiji, and will then take an opportunity of going at length into many questions which cannot be fully discussed in the leading columns of our paper.