DINNER TO MR. JAMES MILLS AT SUVA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9581, 4 August 1894, Page 3

DINNER TO MR. JAMES MILLS AT SUVA.

<' * !'■'V - /.-J! *-'-J* £1 X •>'' J,' ' When the Union S.S. Company's steamer Taviuni was at Suva, Mr. James Mills, the managing director of the Union S.S. Company, was entertained at a banquet by, the residents ;1, Mr, G. L. Griffiths, the Warden of Suva, occupying the chair. In /proposing the health of Mr. Mills, the chairman; remarked - that the Union Company had j fulfilled every, promise made to the settlers of Fiji ■in the- way of -j providing new steamers suitable for i the trade, and in studying the interests of shippers. In responding, Mr. Mills said that it was.about 14 or 15 years since the Union Company had engaged in the Fiji trade, starting with the small steamer Southern Cross, ana ib was satisfactory to think that since then they had developed into such fine steamers as were now on the line—the Taviuni. Ovalau, and Upolu. They would all know that the history of the company in Fiji had not been all sunshine, as for a long time they continued running with : expensive steamers and a small trade. " The trade had, however, developed wonderfully, and he was i sanguine' that it would further expand. The development was largely owing to the extension of . the sugar, industry, and that had a very large ' influence on ; the trade of - the country and the company. Another j thing that would help to bring them on was the tourist traffic. ; He instanced ; the trial made some years ago by the company in this direction, which had to be abandoned owing, to the aulriess which had come over the colonies. Another attempt was being made to establish excursions, and he thought it would prove successful. ' Continuing, Mr. Mills said: — "If • a steady influx 'of tourists can be obtained, it will no doubt do a, great deal of j good to the' colony; ' not only by the little money spent bnt by the reputation that your delightful country will earn fcr itself, and I should like .to Bee regular trips organised each six months. lam rejoiced to find! that your progress, if slow, is sure. It may not be a fast one, but it is certain, and we have been shown by the neighbouring colonies recently that it is not always best to rush. I should like in the fixture to- see more of the trade go from Hew Zealand than has been the case in the past. I see from figures that I have obtained tnat £186,000 went from New South Wales last year, while only £41,000 went from New Zealand. We now look upon this trade as one which it is worth our while to study and develop, and I can confidently say that the interests of the trade will always be kept in view, and the visit of myself and Mr. Ritchie will help this. We have been much pleased with the new ports we have seen, viz., Ba and Labasa, and the harbour of Labasa you may say is equal to almost any in the world. I may say that next year we hope to include Fiji in our Calcutta route, ana so give this colony direct communication with India. We have other extensions in anticipation in connection with our Island trade which I feel, however, it will be premature to speak upon here." ; ; .