THE SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IX, Issue 2960, 9 June 1885, Page 2

THE SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

A meeting of those interested in the South Sea Islaud trade was held this morning in the Harbor Board rooms., Mr iSumpter occupied the Ohair, and in opening the proceedings the Chairman said it was a pity there was suoH a small atten» danoe, but he thought it was due to the announcement which was made in the papers to the effect that Mr Meek was goiug as a delegate. The public, no doubt, thought that the thing had been all arranged by the Committee, and that there was no need for anything further to be done. He then reported that the Committee appointed at the last meeting had met, and it had been decided that he should telegraph to Sir Juliua Togel asking if he would sanction a delegate being sent from Oamaru and if arrangements could be made for the steamer to remain longer at the Islands. A reply had been received to this which 'stated that a free passage, would be given to a delegate from Oamaru, but that he would have to bear his own expenses. It also stated that . the vessel _ would: return in two months, and during the:! interval the delegate could make all hia arrangements, in the Islands. -He (tha Chairman) remarked that the reply did not say definitely if the vessel would remain longer or not. The next matter he had to report was that at another meeting of the Committee Mr Meek had been persuaded to consent to go as their delegate at his own expense. Mr Meek had, however, . told him this morning that ho thought it better to defer sending a delegate on account of the time not permitting the preparation of samples of the different commodities which it was proposed to' open up a trade for. He (the Chairman). noticed that the delegate appointed at Christchurch had decided to go, and it was for the meeting to say if it would ba advisable for them to wait until the next = trip.- The Government, he thought, might possibly withdraw the offer of a free pas*, sage by the next trip. He thought they,, should endeavor to be first in the field. A letter was read from Mr Wansbrough offering his son's services as interpreter for one guinea per week. Mr Meek explained that he had not given the subject much consideration until yesterday; when he had, come to the conclusion that for anyone to go without the properly prepared samples of flour, &o,y would be going on a fool's errand. He? considered that flour was likely 'to' be'the principal artiole of trade with those Islands, and before anyone could attempt to do business he must hiave samples which : were properly 1 dried and prepared for keeping in the tropics. There was no doubt that with facilities a large trade could be done, as there was' already anannual consumption of 10,000 tons in the Islands. But to open a trade, the delegate must be prepared with samples that would bear the tests likely to .be. put to : them. He agreed with what-had been said about being first in the field, but he did not think that Oamaru, by waiting until the next trip, would have much cause for fear. His idea was that the Committee should Set about getting ererything ready for the next trip. Mr Connell had at the last meeting considered it useless to send a delegate, but afterwards, when Mr Meek offered to go, tell in with the idea, and he was now disappointed in Mr Meek's change of plans. He-expressed disapproval at Mr Meek's idea of making'flour the principal , portion of the trade; as he considered that the cost of ' freight would so handicap Oamaru 'as to completely shot her out of • the flour trade. He did not blame Mr Meek for looking to his own productions, as he had no doubt that he would have done the same thing. He thought the Committee should have enlarged powers, and that it should endeavor to get another suitable man to go. It was a pity 'J 11 ' Mr Meek had given out that he was g°' n ? and then, at almost the last moment, bad declined, as it prevented another goingMr Meek replied, that ; Mr Connell® idea of Oamaru being handicapped in the matter of freight would not stand, as shipments could be made by sailing vessel at LI per ton, and with regard to lookinc to his own interests he considered that what benefited one would benefit another. There were not many articles produced in Oamaru whereby they could foster a tr«W

with these Manda, and he 3'ill held that Jour would be tho principal commodity likuty to be sent. Potatoes ft- sont »!ao. When . ffering to co hj» dtd not pay (fefinitaly whche- hu would co cr uos F and he had »a;.i that ho won d b-jar his own expenses, so that it should not bo jjiiil that ha pushing Hi csn trade* at the expense of tha Committee. Hit w.i 3 fgty sorry if he had been the m..\»ru r.f preventing any other person cdnir, but he would rather »►?» some or': »■!»« ~0. The Chairman rsprta3.:d tho opinion

that tho delegate should go mure for information than anything eke. It was necessary to know what were the rtrjnirvnwuta of the islanders, and afjo what likely to be» exported from there, in order to arrange for tho vessel's back cargo. It was necessary for a commercial man to go, ju nothing could be made enc of the virions reports, which saemsd to be hashed up in different wr.ja. Mi Meek thought tho person who —>nt should bo abta to take advantage of his visit, aa it would bo a long time to dovote to sich an object. There was another thtnj that would have to be considered, and that was the matter of c3chac;e. Perhaps they would be able to get Sir Julius; Vcgol to arrange thia matter. o"herw;sej Be did not sea how a business contd be I

dooe, aa ha expected there waa little or no money on the Islands. Ho for one wits not prepared to ship stuff there, and, after waiting six months for his tn<wy, parFiapa find that ho had lost L">00 or L6OO. Mr Connelt mentioned two or three , firms who had established agencies in the Islands, and anstgeated that it would be butter to try and push a trade with these < firms. I

The Chairman remarked that by so doing they wonld only bo allowing their profits to be filtered through these firms' bands. Mr Jones, sen., thought that if it were intended to send a delegate he should be lent by thta trip. He wtia drsappoicted at Mr Meek not being abto to g». He had alwijs found being first in the field to b« aa advantage. By waiting they would gi't all the information, but they wi>o/d a/ao find that the door was closed against them for doing business, aa thoso who went now wonld secure all the business that was to be done It was stated that there wore about 3000 Europeans and 116,000 natives on the Ijfandj.

Mr Jones, soni'nr, moved and Mr Sanderson seconded that the Committee be instructed, if poaaibte, to obtain a delegate in place of Mr Meek, and that they have power tr> add to their number.', and if unable to send anyone by this shtp, that all necessary preparations b- made for sending# delegate by the next on--. The motion wxi carried an.'; tho meeting- then terminated.