MASTERY OF THE PACIFIC.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8203, 6 August 1906, Page 3

MASTERY OF THE PACIFIC.

BIG JAPANESE EFFORT. Aocording to a writer in the Exporters' and Importers' Journal (Ndw York), the Japanese are making :a determined attempt to capture the carrying trade of the Pacific and iNew Zealand and Australia may flad f> 'themselves affected. "There is a Japanese line of three small steam(V.ships now running between Yoko- ' haraa and San Francisco, California, U.5.A.," says the writer. "TBe Amerioan-Paciflo Mail line, engaged in the same trade, has five ships, any one of which is larger and better than either on the Japanese vessels. Japan, however, with cheaper prices for the manning of her ships, and Bailors in her service who require less, both in quantity and quality, in food and accomodation, is pushing the Pacific Mail hard in her struggle between this country and tne Orient. She has made as offer to the American Company for the purchase of its ships, and the directors have become bo alarmed at the prospeots of the future that it is reported they have given an opinion to the Mikado's Government for the purchase of their ships. Another American line, running from Seattle to the Orient, in competition with a smaller number of ships, has also attracted the attention of the Japanese, and they are taking steps to get possession of the vessels of this line. They are also after the American line running between San Francisco and Hawaii, Samoa, New Zealand, and Australia, and,, unless a change soon appears in the business prospects of the company; they will probably succeed in securing the ships of this line. With this beginning, it will not be long before Japan will praotically control the carrying trade of the Pacific"