NEW ZEALAND AND THE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9355, 20 February 1892, Page 2 (Supplement)

NEW ZEALAND AND THE

PACIFIC ISLANDS.

The following is the concluding portion of the report on the trade of the federated Cook Islands, furnished to the New Zealand Government by Mr F. J. Moss, British Resident at Rarotonga, and dated December 17, 1891:—

■nTV tlxi ntain her hold of this portion of the 1 acihe, New Zealand must be careful to ship—of her own produce especially—nothing that is not sound and of good quality. I cannot lay too much stress on this, as I know that a contrary impression prevails in some quarters, and have witnessed the harm done by sending inferior meats, inferior biscuit and flour, and other articles of food which cannot be used, and yet require considerable time to replace them.

Hie small vessels built in New Zealand are strong and good, but they are not so saleable as similar vessels built in California. The latter are broader and more shallow, more slightly. built, ami of less cargo-carrying capacity. But they are better ventilated, have better accommodation, and arc said to sail better and to be more easily handled. In the eye of the native these qualities more than compensate for inferiority in other respects. The demand for suitable vessels is growing in all the. islands. In hams, bacon, cheese, salted pork and beef, tinned meats and vegetables, biscuit, potatoes, onions, and all agricultural produce and live stock, New Zealand should be able to compete successfully with California. But, I must repeat, only good articles should be shipped, and in the preparation of tinned meats more taste might be displayed. The various kinds are now too often flavourless and woolly, and the labels indicate differences which to the palate are inappreciable. Intrinsically the meat is very good, but, whether from being over-cooked or from what other cause, is too often rendered flavourless. The American sausage and other meats, from Chicago especially, are superior to those from New Zealand in flavouring and get-up, though inferior in the original quality. As another illustration, I may refer to a favourite dish from America labelled "' Pork and beans, but more properly to be called '.' Beans and pork, for the beans very largely predominate. This is retailed (21b tins) at lid sterling per tin in Karotouga, and no doubt gives a good profit at that price. The tinned mullet is much liked, but the low price lately of American turned salmon has interfered with the sale. This salmon has been retailed at 9d per tin. Flour from New Zealand has not been found to keep so well as flour from California, which commands the market. Biscuits from New Zealand are generally very good, and have a good reputation, but the variety is small. Woolleu goods from New Zealand have an excellent name, but the demand is limited. The shoes used are chiefly canvas. The custom of wearing boots and shoes is growing among the natives. .

( Cotton prints must, above all things, be of fast" colours. That is the first condition, and one not to be neglected. Native methods of washing, and exposure to the sun, try them severely. Silk dresses are getting into use among the natives. A considerable quantity has been lately sold in Rarotonga. The price is 3s to 3s 6d per yard. This silk is imported from Tahiti. Ostrich feathers (for which as much as 2gs are sometimes paid) and artificial flowers are a good deal used, and imported chiefly from Tahiti. Buggies and other vehicles are sometimes made of very good quality in Rarotonga, but are chiefly imported from California, via Tahiti. The lumber used is becoming almost exclusively Californian—either redwood or pine. Kauri is complained of as shrinking too much. Shingles and picket palings of redwood are preferred. Long lengths of timber, it is said, can also be obtained at lower prices from California. For sugar the demand is considerable in all the islands. Much of the white sugar used in Rarotonga comes, via Tahiti, from California. In soap, New Zealand ought to beat California, from which at present some supplies of fair quality come.

The importing firms in Rarotonga are:—New Zealand: Donald and Edenborough, Goodwin and De Lisle, and the South Pacific Trading Company. Taihiti: Sociftd Commerciale de 1 Oceanic (a Hamburg comnany with its headquarters at Tahiti), and W. Taylor. San Francisco : Crawford and Co., and E. Piltz.

EXPORTS OF THE COOK ISLANDS. Coffee is the staple. With proper cultivation the quantity could be increased eight or tenfold. The quality is excellent, but the coffee is carelessly picked, not properly sorted, and sold too new. The chief markets are San Francisco and Melbourne. I am told that it costs only L 2 16s per ton to send coffee from Rarotonea to San Francisco, via Tahiti, but L 5 10s to send it via Auckland. The Melbourne market must be better reached through New Zealand. Oranges and other fruits, lime-juice, arrowroot, &c, I have already referred to. There ought to oe a large market, especially fov oranges, in the southern parts of New Zealand. A glance at the map will show that Rarotonga must sooner or later be recognised as the nearest tropical country from which a direct supply can be obtained, and with which south New Zealand can be connected Copra and cotton will also be staples, but are not likely to increase to any great extent. Ihe trade with Rarotonga is not alone to be regarded—the Cook Islands are but a link in the chain that should bind to New Zealand the Sit 1.??* 1"} archipelagoes of the eastern- Pacific. With all those of the central Pacific, and to some extent with those in the west, her commerce is already extensive.. There is no reason why the trade with the eastern Pacific should not add very gl£- ,y,to tna* which she already possesses, and which her position and products fit her so well to maintain.