SOUTH SEA ISLAND TRADE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3348, 15 May 1918, Page 24

SOUTH SEA ISLAND TRADE.

(By Cable)

Tho Premier of Tonga, who is visiting Sydney, told an interviewer that New Zealand had taken the trade of longa from .Australia, hut Tonga, preferred to trade with the commonwealth. Although he made no .announcement, he gave the impression that the object of his visit was to secure commonwealth aid in a revival of trade between Tonga and Australia. The Premier eaid it was partly owing to New Zealand's proximity, and partly to the laxity or indifference of Australia, •tlhat New ' Zealand had been able to secure the Tongan trade. The indifference of Australia forced the Tongan Government to subsidise the Union Steam Ship Company by granting free harbourage, pilotage, and wharfage to the extent of £4ooo°per annum. Tonga's preference for trade with Australia was because in New Zealand no means existed for manufacturing oil from copra, which was one of Tonga's best articles of export, whereas there wore means to manufacture the oil in Australia. Last year Tonga had been forcld to send 7000 tons of copra to America, and this year it was anticipated that 15,000 tons would go there. These facts spoke- for themselves He asked: " Why does Australia ignore us? We would rather trade with her than any other country." The Interstate Commission's report on Pacific trade is disapproved in Fiji. The hulk of public opinion here is adverse to Australian or New Zealand control, preferring that the islands in the Southern Sea should federate. It is forecasted that the Colonial Office will agree to a joint inquiry into the administration of British possessions in the Pacific.