THE MISSION OF MR. SEED AND MR. MOSS TO FIJI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7593, 24 March 1886, Page 5

THE MISSION OF MR. SEED AND MR. MOSS TO FIJI.

AN INTERCOLONIAL TREATY OP COMMERCE.

las our yesterday's impression, in remark* ing upon the mission of Messrs. Seed and Moss to Fiji, we stated that in all probability it was intended to make a treaty of reciprocity. Farther information changes this surmise into oertaiaty. To endeavour to effect such a treaty is the principal object of the mission. The delegates are very suitable for the purpose. Mr. Se6d has previously visited the islands, and reported on their capabilities, and as he has been for many years Secretary of Customs, and ie familiar with all the workings of the tariff, he ia just the man to carry out the objeot Sir Julius Vogel has in view. Mr. Moss is also thoroughly qualified from bis residence in Fiji, and his thorough acquaintance with the politios of this oolony. When Mr. Seed formerly reported on the productions and oommeroe of the different groups of the Pacific, it was impossible to make any reciprocity treaty, for an Imperial law forbade auy colony arranging any differential duties with another colony. But Imperial legislation has amended that, chiefly owing to the exertions of Sir Julius Vogel, and any colony may make a treaty of commerce with another, under which their produce may be exchanged at a lower rate of duty than is charged to other countries or colonies. It ia likely, we believe, that other groups of islands in the Pacific may be included in the arraogemeut, so as to endeavour to centralise the trade of the Islands in New Zealand. We charge duty on sugar, coffee, bananas, and every article which we import from Fiji, and if the duties on these artiolea were lowered, we might ezpeot a greatly augmented import trade. On the other hand, Fiji imposes duties on almost everything sho imports from New Zealand. On oilmen's stores (sardines, Ac.) a duty of ten per cent, is levied ; on hams, 2d per lb ; on beer, Is per dozen or 9d per gallon; on doors, 10 per cent. ; on drapery, 10 per cent. ;on timber, 2e per 100 foet; on soap, 15 per cent.; and so on, We should of course expect that in return for our reducing the duty on articles the production of Fiji, the duty should be lowered on articles imported from Mew Zealand. In ahort, it may be said that the mission of Messrs. Seed and Moss ie to negotiate a treaty of commerce between New Zealand and Fiji. The report of Moesrs Seed and Moss will no doubt be the basis of a measure to be laid before the ensuing asaeion of Parliament.