The Daily Telegraph. TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1881.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3061, 19 April 1881, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph. TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1881.

The trade of Fiji is developing itself so rapidly that the monthly trip of the one small steamer between Auckland and the Islands is altogether insufficient for the continuation of a connection that cannot but prove profitable to both colonies. The latest accounts that we have from Fiji state that on the last several trips of the steamer Southern Cross more than 200 tons of cargo had to be left behind on each occasion. But the trade in the past compared to that which is now springing up will be as a drop in a bucket of water. The Colonial Sugar Company have now their machinery from Glasgow at Suva, the capital of Fiji, and have forwarded close upon one hundred skilled hands to the site of the mills on the Rewa river. The anticipations of the impetus to trade by the operations of this company have been fully realised. At tbe capital, which was only very recently laid off and sold by the Government, land for building purposes cannot be procured for love or money. The upset price of the sections averaged about £350, but the best were actually sold for £1000 and over, and some have since changed hands at £1500. These were no fancy figure l ?, but they represent the true value at that time of the land. Houses are springing up in all directions, and the Government buildings, such as Custom House, Gaol, Barracks, Treasury, &_., are under contract for erection. By way of a bonus to the Colonial Sugar Company the Government sold them 2000 acres on the Rewa river at £2 per acre, and no sooner was this arrangement arrived at than the prosperity of tbe colony was assured. A Sydney correspondont of a settler in Fiji, whose letter was published some few months ago, says, "It will no doubt be'good tidings of great joy' to tbe sugar planters, and to those on the Rewa in particular, to learn that arrangements have been entered into with the Colonial Sugar Company to erect large sugar mills in Fiji. The first, capable of turning out 25 tons of sugar per diem, is to be erected on the Rewa as soon as the machinery can be procured from Glasgow (since arrived at Suva). The colony is exceedingly fortunate in getting such a wealthy and experienced company to embark in it. Their doing so will, more than anything else, create confidence ; it will in a very short time vastly increase your imports, exports, and shipping. lam told the company's outlay for machinery, buildings, steam lighters for collection of cane on the river for the Rewa mill, will exceed £100,000, and they will employ a staff of about 100 white men. You may depend upon one thing, and that is the company will make a success of whatever they undertake, having the men and the means to do it." The Fiji Times, in a leading article, says, " Tbe fact has at length become recognised that Fiji possesses not alone the elements of wealth for herself, but is fully competent to enrich others." Our cablegrams lately informed us that Fiji readily obtained the comparatively small loan in London that she required. While asking for the assistance which will enable her to advance on the path that indicates a goal, the attainment of which means wealth to all who reach it, she invites others to accompany her on the road, and to widen it alike for their own profit as for hers. To the enterpise of our merchants and capitalists we must look for , whatever share New Zealand may secure of the trade and prosperity of the " West Indies of the Pacific." The first thing needed is better communication, which could be profitably effected if the Union Steam Ship Company would extend their operations to the Islands. A supplementary boat is urgently needed for this Bast Coast, and such service vessel could go on to Fiji, returning by the same route, distributing the Island produce. Wejjbelieve that it is intended to press the consideration of some such proposal upon the company, and it is to be hoped that it will commend itself to tbe managing directory.