The Star. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21,1892.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XIX, Issue 3230, 21 September 1892, Page 2

The Star. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1892.

INTERCOLONIAL SHIPPING TRADE.

The advent of the Huddart Parker Steam Ship Company, with their new big steamers in New Zealand waters, indioates the end of the Udiod Company monopoly as regards intercolonial trade. Tbe Huddart project has been long talked about, and the tussle methodically prepared for. They have had two 5000 ton steamers specially built for the trade. The new service will commenea with the Warhnoo leaving Sydney for Anokland on 10th October; and going to Melbourne via the South and Hobart, tbe trip being specially made to be in time for the Melbourne Cup. Mr. Parker, one ot the principals of the firm, is now in JJew Zealand making necessary business arrangements. Hiß company, he says, bas come t« stay. This means a good deal from such a powerful shipping company. The fitful running of the anoient steamers known as tbe Jubilee and Ellis line, till disaster overtook these worn-out boats, sufficiently attested that the time was ripe for opposition to the Union monopoly. At that time the Union Company ran cargo and passengers at the ridiculously low rates fixed by tbe Ellis line, and Baw to it that the times of arrival and sailing at respective ports were the same, in order to attract freight and passengers to their own superior boats. f?h^re were special boats and special prices, but the ordinary fares and freights by their ordinary boats were kept up to former high rates. These special shepherding steamers were specially delegated to run tbe opposition off by offering larger and more comfortable steamers at the opposition rateß. Still the opposition steamers were generally Inll up. This indicated sympathy on the part of exporters with the attempt to establish lower intercolonial freights and fares. The Union Company, so far as its larger boats are concerned, has rarely given occssion for the shadow of complaint. Xt has been voted and praissd by much-travelled men as a most superior shipping servioe. Magnificent vessels, well equipped, and commanded by tbe XOO.it ftple oj&eere. The only matter for

complaint was afc tbe high freights and passenger fares, and v&y muoh too much of a monopoly in the coal trade. This trade they insisted on forcing against the interests of New Zealand ooal mines. As mine-owners, and having a monopoly of the carrying trade, they were enabled to do a good stroke of business and.'etfect^ejy hinder developments by smaller jk«w Zealand coal and steamer owners; /JrM Union Octopus was tbe name derisively affixed on the West Coast of theL'Souih Island to this mine-owning, ateamsTjrTjf- | owning, and harbor-controlling company. io long ago baok as the ill-starred Ellis line, it was demonstrated that there was room for another intercolonial, if not interprovincial, steam shipping service, Now it has come : come deliberately and with intention on the part of the Huddart Company to stay. We do not anticipate anything in " the way of ridiculoua cutthroat competition, except by way of change and exoitement for the busy passenger excursion season. We rather expeot a service with moderate freight and passenger fares. The Union Company bas charged too high. This has been deterrent to interchange of visitations which help to lay the foundations for better understanding and increase in trade, The Huddart rival is no sooner in the field to make business arrangements than tbe Union Company Bet out for public information their shipping arrangements for tbe coming season, with a drop right away to about half lares both saloon and steerage "all round] and specially low fares by extra cargo steamers. Here is an indication of intention to "run off" this later and powerful rival. The old game. Following are the arrangements and alterations which the Union Company offer:— "The Mararoa resumes her running on the Ist of October, making fornightly trips between Sydney, Wellington, and Lytte • ton. The Manapouri will be placed m commission towards the middle of October, replacing the Tekapo, whioh will be taj I up. Captain Chatheld resumes charge^ f the Mararoa, and Captain Wheeler taM] i temporary oharge of the Talune until th > Manapouri is placed in commission. Th > Mararoa, Manapouri, and several other < : tbe company's steamers are to be fitten , with maogauese bronze propellers. The Oonah is now in the hands of the Mort's Dook Company, Sydney, undergoing extenßive alterations and a thorough overhaul at a cost of £5000. Among other improvements she is to be fitted with a top-gallant forecastle, which will furnißb a very much improved second class accommodation, and with these improvements and the new mangeneee propellers, the Oonah is expected to be one of the fastest boats in the Australian colonies. The Wairarapa and Waibora have been fitted with refrigerators, and machines are now

on tbe way from Home for other steamers.

Mr. James Mills, of the Union Company, has proved a model manager. He has

been equally at home iri'ajl departments. During the great maritimesfiwfe'ttiany affecting instances of devot&ft t*Js£pMillß by old servants of the compaffsswec|bifo v nghfc t0 light. He was conciliatory'^augbout, but fif^wutfal. From a capitalf^t; stand;poinjyEe is a gentleman of rare business abiliaStect, and wide sympathy. To bis goooT^iberalsbip and sterling manly qualities, this Union Company largely owes its smooth running and extraordinary developments as the premier shipping company in these southern seas. The Huddart is one of the most powerful and best organized steam shipping companies in Australian waters, having connections, and boats of their own running to every principal Australian port. We are inclined to think this new company will be a great help to New Zealand in opening new markets, in the first case making marketing possible by a considerable reduction in freight charges. A drop down right away to one half in passenger fares, is an indication of direct benefit to the travelling public Then, to some extent, the interprovincial trade will share the advantage of reduoed freight charges. Producers in every line will be tbe chief gainers. If the expectations of the Huddart Company are in any way realised there is little doubt but they will soon divert some of their smaller stearaera to a purely New Zealand coastal trade. This looks like better times for exporting producers, and will no doubt give a fillip to what prove to be the best paying lines. There is undoubtedly a sufficiently large expansion in general produce to warrant the establishment of this powerful rival in New Zealand waters to the Union Company, and the assertion " We've come to stay," has every prospeot of being verified. Mr. Parker, who is now appointing agents at ports throughout New Zealand, states tbat the Warimoo, the pioneer steamer of the new line, left London last Saturday week for Australia, via the Cape. He expects her to enter

upon tbe New Zealand running before Christmas. She will be followed shortly by the Miowera. Both steamers are of 5000 tons capacity, with accommodation for 200 saloon passengers. It is the company's intention to run the steamers between Melbourne, New Zealand, and Sydney, and vice versa, on the same route as tlie Union Company. Tbe passenger and freight rates will be reduced considerably. Another progressive Btep for New Zealand.