OUR AMERICAN LETTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8361, 15 September 1890, Page 6

OUR AMERICAN LETTER.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.J

Ran* Francisco, August 23. SHIPPING BILLS AND LEGISLATION. It has been impossible to secure a quorum in the Lower House of Congress (luring the past month, and the consequence is that the Mail Subsidy and Shop Bounty Bills already passed by the Senate are still pending. Congress has been in session since last December, and up to the present has done nothing aside from passing a few non-important Bills and greatly adding to the Pension List. This seems a remarkable statement, but it embodies the sum and substance of what lias been done. The Republican party which has control of both branches of Congress and the President, was consequently in a position to push through any Bills that might be desired. MeKinley, of Ohio, and Heed, of Maine, the leaders in the House, accordingly set about the task of pleasing everybody. After Reed had been made Speaker, MeKinley fixed up a Taritl Bill which he thought was calculated to please the wool-producers and iron-workers, and which had a bid for popular approval in it, in tiie shape of the removal of the duty on sugar. Speaker Reed, with McKinley's assistance, gagged the Democratic minority in the House, and passed the Bill by the vigorous use of the party lash. Then they set about passing pension Bills at the behest of the semi-political organisation of veterans of the civil war of 18(51-05, known as the "Grand Army of the Republic." The Pension list of this country has been increased toover 100,000,00()dols. annually, a sum greater than Germany spends 011 her magnificent standing army. While this was going 011, they got through a Bill providing that ail Congressional and Presidential elections should be under the control of the United States Government, taking it away from the States. This measuure was so vigorously denounced in the South that a boycott of Northern manufactures was proposed. By the time that these things had been accomplished hot weather had come ou, the members had become disgusted, and a quorum to pass the Senate Bills, including the Mail Subsidy Bill and the Shi)) Bounty Bill, cannot be secured before the middle of September, if then. The worst of it all is that the pension grabs are the only measures that have gone through successfully. The Tariff Bill, of which McKinley was so proud and sanguine, did not suit Blaine, and he has effectually smashed it by his statesmanlike proposition inviting reciprocity treaties with South American and trans-Pacific countries. Those who have the Shipping Bills in charge are hopeful of having them passed as soon as the needful quorum is secured. RECIPROCITY TREATIES. It is a genuine relief to turn from this miserable and contemptible record of incompetence and folly, to note the success which lias attended Secretary Blaine's great plan to conclude trade reciprocity treaties with Mexico, Central America, and the countries of South America and the Pacific. His propositions have been received with the utmost favour by the commercial classes and by the farmers. A suggestion has already been made that similar trade relations be entered into with New Zealand and the colonies. It has been received with favour whenever mentioned in San Francisco, New York, and Washington, and there seems to be no obstacle on the part of the United States to entering into negotiations to accomplish such an end, provided the colonies are willing that the reciprocity shall extend only to articles of their own production and manufacture, and shall not include goods from Great Britain. The United States Government has always insisted on this point whenever reciprocal treaties with Canada were mentioned. We arc willing to trade in our own goods, and take those of the country assuming reciprocal relations with us, but are hardly ready to include the goods of other countries without due allowances being made. This matter might he considered with advantage by the New Zealand Government, and if it is favourably regarded, the time may

soon come to open negotiations to that end. Blaine's success in carrying his point seems assured.

HENRY GEORGE ON THE COLONIES.

Henry George, the single tax advocate, has arrived safely in England, and will spend some time there before his return to America. Mr. George has conceived a great admiration for the colonies. In a recent interview with a representative of the New York Herald, he said ' , Though my position on the tariff question brought out tho bitter opposition of. the Australian protectionists, I had a warm greeting, attentive audiences, and the heartiest good-byes. I left tho country convinced that the single tax idea was firmly rooted there and was becoming a powerful factor in practical politics, especially in New South Wales, where the line is being sharply drawn between tho single tax principle 011 tho one hand and protection 011 the other. My visit to Australia has given me a great idea of tho possibilities of the future of that country, in many respects the most interesting country in tho world to Americans. It is an independent development of another branch of the same people under conditions diverse enough to afford us instructive comparisons. There are many tilings which Americans could profitably learn from them besides the Australian ballot, and there are many tilings in which they might profit by our exjwrience. Both geographically and in character and ways of thought tho American is nearer Australia than is Great Britain, yet between the American Republic and the great democratic nation which is growing up in the southern sea, there is nothing like tho intercourse and commerce which should naturally exist. About the only practical interest taken in the United States by these regions to-day is in our attempt to raise tho value of silver throughout the world by buying and burying tons of it every month. The abolition of our tariff would give us a great trade, and close intercourse with Australia, making San Francisco and New York the great route of Australian intercourse with Kurope. "If reciprocity treaties are to be made; Australia is one of the first countries which should be considered. The United States can 110 more compete with Australia in raising wool than Louisiana can compete with Maine in producing ice, and the free admission of Australian wools to our market would be a universal blessing to our woollen manufacturers." A good deal less expansive and more profitable than sending a few war ships 10 show our Hag to the antipodes, would be sending a proper commission to thoroughly examine and report 011 the magnificent success of the Stateowned railways of Australian colonies. In the whole long journey from Australia through the greatest highway for the world's commerce, I never once saw an American flag until I observed one on a gondola of the 0 rami ('anal ao Venice, which an American tourist had subsidised to carry it. DIRECT TAHITI MAILS. J. D. Spreckels and Bros, have a new steel steamer 011 the way from England to Honolulu. and on her arrival she will be placed on a new mail line, which is to be established between Tahiti and San Francisco. The Oceanic Steamship Company, of which tho firm are agents, has secured a contract from the French authorities to transport the mails now being carried on sailing vessels. The idea is to run the steamers to Tahiti from Honolulu, connecting with the colonial steamers, and with the Oceanic Company's vessels that only go as far as Honolulu. This service, it is stated, is to be established about the first of January, and much better time will be made than at present. The Tahiti packets from ,San Francisco usually get over the distance in from 25 to 30 days. RESISTENT VINES FOR NEW ZEALAND. By the last mail from New Zealand Mr. R. J. Crcighton, tho Agent for the New Zealand Government, received an inquiry from Mr. H. J. Elliott, Under-Secretary in the General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, calling for a report 011 the efficacy of " insistent " vine stocks as a preventative of phylloxera, and also on the methods of preventing the ravages of this insect. Information concerning the vine disease, which has destroyed many thousand acres of vines in Southern California, was also asked for. Mr. Creighton, in preparing his report, called upon Mr. Charles A. Wetmore, the Chief V iticultural Officer of California, and Mr. Win field Scott, Secretary of . State Vitieultural Commission of California, and by this steamer the Now Zealand Government will receive a remarkably full report on all the questions indicated, as well as a full set the of publications of the Commission. Mr. Watmore's letter to Mr. Creighton, for transmission to the New Zealand Government, is one of the ablest and most succinct short papers on phylloxera that has ever been sent out, and if any danger from this destructive insect is feared in New Zealand the Government could do 110 better than publish it, as well as all references to the insect found in the Commission's publications. Mr. Scott furnished Mr. Creighton with a copy of the report of Professor. Ethelbert Dowlen, the young English expert, who is investigating the Southern Califot disease for the Vitieultural Commission. This was done in advance of its publication in California, in order that every possible assistance might be given to the Government. In this connection Mr. Scott desires to say that the publications of the California Vitieultural Commission are published for free distribution, and that he will gladly forward copies to grape-growers and wine makers in the colonies who will scud their addresses. It the phylloxera has spread to any extent, prompt measures cannot be taken too soon. BANQUET TO A. S. MURRAY. A. K. Murray, the manager of the South British Fire and Marine Company, was given a farewell luncheon by the members of the Pacific Insurance Union at their rooms 011 the 13th inst. About one hundred gentlemen, including all the prominent underwriters and agents, assembled at the specified hour, and under the direction of Win. Greer Harrison, \V..).Callingham, Geo. W. Spencer, Geo. E. Butler, and J. Scott Wilson a most elaborate repast was served. A long table, laid in the Assembly room, was profusely decorated with flowers and fruit, and amply provided with viands and champagne. After luncheon, Mr. William Greer Harrison called the meeting to order, and paid a warm tribute to the many good qualities possessed by Mr. Murray, dwelt 011 his uniform courtesy and ability, and his fairness in his dealings with all George E. Butler, in a happy speech, proposed the health of Mr. Mil' "ay, and Mr. Murray, who was touched by do spontaneity of the goodwill felt towards him, responded in an appropriate manner. George E. Spencer proposed " Mrs. Murray," and speeches were made by Hugh Craig, of the New Zealand Company. W. H. C. Fowler, W. J. Callinghani, anil many others. A was sung by George Grant, who took " John Anderson, My Jo," as his theme. This was enthusiastically received, Mr. Murray, during the two years of his management of the local office of the company, made many friends, as the following resolutions adopted by the Insurance UllOll on this occasion will show :—

Resolved, " Thai, as Mr. A. S. Murray, manager of the South British Fire and Marine Insurance Company of New Zealand, is about to leave, that these Associations do now say good-bye to him, with the most, sincere expressions of their high sense of his ability as an underwriter, and of a man whose sterling qualities have endeared him to each of his associates." Resolved. " That they wish him all prosperity and the fullest realisation of his desites wherever he may cast his lot." Resolved, "That these resolutions he engrossed and presented to Mr. Murray."

TRADE NOTES. Exports of merchandise during July were valued as follows : — To Australia, 135,448 dollars; New Zealand, 15,931 dollars; Hawaii, "287,T0'.' dollars ; Tahiti, 25,. dollars; Marquesas, '2225 dollars; Gilbert Islands, 14,916 dollars; Samoa, 8559 dollars. The imports from the colonies were valued at 91,31)6 dollars; from Hawaii, 1,490,373 dollars ; from Tahiti, 22,518 dollars.

The threatened war between the Canadian Pacific Steamship Line and the Pacific Mail and Occidental and Oriental lines has been averted. The Pacific mail sent its steamers one trip to Victoria, and the Canadian was about to come to San Francisco, when the peace was concluded. It is understood that the Canadian Company receives a small monthly subsidy to keep clear of San Francisco, and that all Oregon and Washington business goes to the Canadian.

The exports of fresh apples to the colonies during the next three months promise to be quite large. The California fruit merchants have learned the value of colonial markets for this fruit, and it seems most remarkable that the movement of fruit in this direction is so small in the months of March, April, May, and June, when the California markets will bring high prices for all the fresh fruits that can be offered.

An unusual item in the cargo of the Zealandia on her last trip up was 56 tons of wheat. The grain will be used for seed next fall. It is likely that there will be a considerable movement in maize towards the colonies during the next few months, as quite a demand from that quarter is reported.

New York merchants are loading the steamer Karlsruhe with general merchandise for the colonies. She is a new vessel of 5200 tons register, and is to go to Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. Her charterers are counting on a trip of 45 days to the colonies. A new line of steamers has been put on between San Francisco and Honolulu by Limyston, Clark and Co.

GENERAL NEWS. The Mormons are giving the Canadian Government "feat trouble in the Northwest Territory. They are corrupting the Indians, and steps are to I>3 taken to preveut further immigration. Esquimalt, 8.C., is to be heavily fortified to protect Victoria and Vancouver. The Australian General Insurance Company contemplates transferring its business to the Alliance Marine of London, and withdrawing from the American field. Congressman Morrow has reported a new Bill in Congress, which absolutely forbids the coming of Chinese to America. The New Zealand Insurance Company has subscribed 396 dollars, its pro rata towards a fund of 20,000 dollars to increase the fire department of Sau Francisco.

Miller anil Lux, of San Francisco, an da syndicate of Eastern and Califorman capitalists, have purchased 3000 acres of lan near San Francisco, and intend to erect immense beef-packing houses thereon. ihe syndicate will reach out for trade in all trans-Pacific countries. . The famous Blythe case, involving an estate worth 4,000,000 dollars, has been decided by Judge Coffey in favour of Florence Blythe, a girl about 17 years old, and Blythe's illegitimate daughter by an Lnglisli woman named Perry. The estate has teen in litigation since Blythe died intestate in 188."-!, and includes one of the finest pieces of business property in San Francisco, as well as enormous tracts of land in California and Mexico,'aggregating over 2,000,000 acres.