REPORT ON THE PRESENT POSITION OF TRADE IN SOME OF THE POLYNESIAN ISLANDS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 3389, 7 August 1885, Page 3

REPORT ON T HE PRESENT POSITION OF TRADE IN SOME OF THE POLYNESIAN ISLANDS.

(Concluded.) The rate of freights is subject to great variations, ami as m all these islands, a visit ia moßtly a matter of charter. Generally speaking, it may be said all Gorman ships are under charter arrangement, 90 days being allowed before the actual voyage commences. Freight to Europe varies from SA to £A ss, but occasionally is aa low as £2 12s. Sydney averages £3, and bos been as low as £2 12s, £2 18s being considered a low average ; San Francisco, £3 2s 6d, and timber freight Id per foot ; New Zealand, under the Janet Nicol's contract, £2 7s 6d. The intor-insular trade is almost entirely m the hands of German housea, which will afford no facilities to rivals. In respect to currency, Samoa is m a worse position than Tonga. The rate of discount for bills is just what the German firms may choose to demand, ranging from 5 to 50 per cent, according to the need for cash or the need of the applicant for accommodation. In Samoa land may bo acquired by purchase, but the land systems ie somewhat complex, and Euro- 1 perms, m their eagerness to acquire proprietary rights, have paid no attention ■whatever to the Native system of land tenure. The Germans have 700 imported laborers employed on their plantations, and some 200 were imported a few dayß before our arrival, making, m all, say, 900. Tho trade between New Zealand and Samoa is now very limited, but it is capable of very great extension. The Macarthurs' business is with Great Britain rather than with New Zealand. In Bamoa, as m Tonga, they are m extremely bad odor with all nationalities. Their operations are veiled m mystery quit* equal to that of tho German firms, and their business is principally m tho dollar currency, which, indeed, is the chief reason of German antagonism. The Macarthurs are frightening them with their own coin. Though tiie Germans still rule tho Samoa trade, yet 90 per cent of their imports aro English manufactures. Their business of late has been contracting, while that of other nationalities is expanding. The present firm of Deutsche Handel is under able management, and no charges can bo brought against it such as I those which disgraced the old Godoltroi | house. It only requires vigorous, and above all well concerted action to assume control of the trade m Samoa, as has been done m Raratonga, and is being done m Tongn. It is generally acknowledged that a strong New Zealand Company, backed by a Bank, would carry all before it. SOCIETY GBOUP AND IBEKCn POLYNESIA. Theso islands, with an area of 659 equaro miles, constitute the most important, as well as the fairest, of all tho Pacific groups. They aro a colony of Franco, which may, m fnct, bo said practically to be m possession of tho wliolo of the Society group, the Paumolus, Marquesas, and other islands. Tho total area of theso groups, which would all bo placed m relation with any Trading Company having it» head quarters m Tahiti, is about 3950 square miles, or 2,528,000 acres. Tho population of French Polynesia is 25,000, tho oonsus of 1881 showing a doorcase since 1848 of about 600. Tho same census returns the population of Tahiti as 9000, Moorca 1000, and tho town of Papoto2ooo. The British population is now set down as 350, and tho French, including military, at 900. Thero aro also some 600 Chinese and 300 imported laborers m tho islands. The exportable products of tho Society and alliod groups include cocoa and copra, cotton, pearl and tortoise shells, pearls, sugar, vanilla and coffee. The low prico of all island produce m the European markota has had a very depressing effect of late on the Tahitian market, but thero is hero undoubtedly one of tho best openings for the investment of capital, both m trade and plantation, to be found m tho wliolo of tho South Pacific. Tahitian sugar cane is excoptionolly rich m gacoharino, pieces being reported to contain one-sixth moro sugar than any other variety. The want of sufficient capital has hithorto prevented full advantage being taken of this superiority. Tho Port of Papete is safe and well sheltered, Tho islands seem to be outeido of the hurri^ cano zone. Ships of any tonnago can lio alongside tho wharf for t loading or discharging. The Customs tariff is fixed at 12 pdr cont on tlio net amount of invoice, plus 8 per cont., added to such amount for all incidental oxponsoa. Tn addition to this ad valorem duty, there is also a duly payable on alcoholic liquors and beer. Tho total trade of Tahiti for 1881 amounted to £378,404, of which imports wore £201,032 and exports £177,372. The prejudice against Now Zealand brcadstuffs seins to bo very strong In Tahiti, nnd only Californian flour nnd biscuits aro saleable, "the prices being—? Flour, £14 per ton, Tahiti wholesalo prices ( and biscuili, lid to ljd, f.o.b. m San Francisco. Thero is an opening for Now Zealand meats, both salted and preserved, and there is also tv limitod demand for Hro stock. It I Booms olio vory probable that, m common with a general trading business, tho frown meat industry might bo successfully storied m Tahiti. 'There aro on tho ovorago 400 troops stationed there, nnd probably tf contract for supplying theso might, he obtained, besides tbo general supply. Town meat ie novor _leß9 than Is 3d por lb. Government further informed me there would ho ait opening not only for butchers, but aleo for poultry, ' fish, butter, eggs, fruit, otb. ' Tropical eus* tnrd apples', etc., might bo sent bftct to Now Zealand m tho steamer's freezing chamber. There is sorao demand for horses (of light, wiry, mid strong hree'K Mim-

Chester goods, prints, muslins, etc., of the best material only sell. The inter-insular trade of French Polynesia is carried on by numerous schooners and a few steamers, mostly belonging to Papeto. Land, both freehold and leasehold, can be readily obtained m Tahiti and the neighboring islands at low prices. The French Government is ready to give every encouragement to capitalists, of whatever nationality, for the purpose of developing the industries of the country. lamin a position to state that the authorities will afford every encouragement to any New Zealand co-operative office, or branch, at Tahiti and Tuan. A Bank, whether associated with, or distinct from, such a company, would be heartily welcomed, the need for such an establishment being widely recognised. The visit of the delegates m the Jnnet Nichol was hailed m Papete as the opening of trade relations with our colony, and we were received with demonstrations of goodwill exceeding the warmth of our reception at any other place yet visited. The Cook or Harvey Group is a group of nine islands, some of which are volcanic, others coralline. Earatonga, the largest of the group, may be estimated at 220 square miles, or 140,800 acres. The native population is decreasing. Their number is now given at about 7800, and 100 Europeans, of which numbers Raratonga contains 2000 natives and 25 Europeans. The commercial prodncts of these islands are nlmost identically the same as those of the group previously described. Vessels can lie very close into shore m the small harbor of Noru, though a sudden shift of wind to the north would prove dangerous' to them ; and landing of cargoes can te proceeded with exceptionally fast. Tho only shipping dues leviable are those for pilotage, at the rate of 4d for every ten tons register. Thera are no Customs duties of any description. An abstract of shipping returns, furnished by Sir R. Exham, H.M. Consul, give 3 the following result for 1884 : — Shipping (nine months ending July 31st, 1885) : British, 31 ships, 7782 tons;" French, 7, 860; German, 10, 420; total, 50,9062. New Zealand has already absorbed the lion' 9 share of tho Baratonga trade, and the chief part of tho business is m the hands of Messrs Donald and Edenborough, of Auoldand. Five years ago the whole trade of the Cook Group was m the hands of German traders. There is only one German firm, a branch house of Godeffroi, under the title of "La Compagnie Comrnercialo de l'Oceanie," the headquarters of the firm being at Tahiti. The imports and export* of Raratonga for the year 1884 may be estimated at : Imports, £2 1,000 ; exports, £2800. With respect to imports the same remarks apply hero as m Tahiti. Californian hr^ .-♦..«•," O i,!y are saleable, and all dress iv..; ! be of tho best quality. The prices ot imports may be averaged as, wholesale, 60 per cent ; and, retail, 100 per cent on Auckland invoices. Freight average to Tahiti, £1 Is and £2 per ton. There is no legally fixed currency, but Chilian dollars and half-dollars constitute the most common circulating medium. The average rate of exchange is seven per cent, but payments are generally effected m produce. In the Cook Group, as m Tonga, absolute alienation of land by sale forbidden. The area of land valuable for plantation purposes is somewhat limited, but I think that small and medium plantations might be obtained on lease at fair rates. The canditions of lease generally are three years, with renewal at pleasure of lessee. Ihave less to say concerning thisgroup, as the energy of Messrs Donald and Edenborough, of Auckland, has already opened up tho islands to New Zealand commerce, and Mr Fraser, of Auckland, has also a trading station here. The delegates were receive! at Ararua, with even greater kindness than at Tahiti— quite a family reception ; and our stay there was one round of dinners and Bocial gatherings giren by the native Queen (there are three m little Raratonga) and the British residents. The natives arc mostly desirous that another trading company should establish itself m tho group, believing that a multiple trade will tend to lower the prico of imports, and to raise the price of island produce ; while all, both natives and settlers, unite m the hope that a Bank may find it worth whilo to open a branch here. Tho German trade of the Cook group is very small, and the German house importß English manufactures almost exclusively. ST7MMABY. In treating of the imports of the several groups, I havo more than once referred to points of special importance m connection with the imports from New Zealand, tho following being the most noteworthy : — Flour. — Throughout the Islands New Zealand brands are all but unsaleable. Two reasons are given for this : first, that the flour will not keep ; and second that it. is very difficult to work. Tho article is acknowledged to be pure whest flour. Biscuits. — In this lino also New Zealand cannot seemingly compete with California, at least m the native trado. Meats. — With proper care Now Zealand need here fear no competition. The natives will not buy mutton, and the brands should clearly show what description of meat the tin contains. Great complaints aro made that some New Zealand houses supplied shipping with meats, the refuse of thoir retail establishments, salted down to prevent putrifjing, and often too late to effect this object. Nothing will more effectually destroy our meat trade with tropical countries than the reputation of supplying tainted meats. Prints and drapery. — Ji very special knowledge of the Island trade is required m this line. The texturo, qualities, and colors of the Manchester goods vary with every group, often m the various islands m the same group. It is therefore very hazardous to send consignments on 6pec, without knowing the special requirements of the placo to which the consignment, is made. The vast import-once to New Zealand of the establishment of a chain of strong trading dep6ts through the Eastern Islands can scarcely bo exaggerated. In a few years the Panama Canal will be finished. It will then be too late to commence operations from this end, as, with the opening of this new gate to European commerce, a flood of trudo and capital will rush through, that must inevitably sweop away n small and struggling business. By taking judicious steps m time, a 6trong woalthful Company starting from New Zealand as a terminus at this end of the line, could be fairly established m the principal islands, and be in'full working order long before the canal can be opened to shipping. But to be successful this Company must bo possessed of ample capital, must bo m a- position to undertake all its business of whatever kind, iudejondently of all outsido assistance, should possess its own ships, sufficient, that is to say, for the present necessities of the trade which will bo created between Now Zealand and tho Islands, covering also the through traffic to Europe via New Zealand to our colony, and no further. When the canal is open, we have already a mngnifificent fleet of Ocean-going steamers, which will, without doubt, at once take tho Panama route. At several port* of call m Europe they willfind the warehouses and stores of the Company, and its lloet acting as conveyers of produce for feoding the liomownrd-bound ships. Our visit to tho Islands has served to demonstrate that only tho very edge of thoir trado has boen touched. To avoid nny intercolonial jealousies, I think it would bo advisable that it should bo a private Trading Company, i.e., quite indopondent of tho Government of New ZoaUnd. A trading Comptmy should likewieokcop it self free from Island complications — it should not. be a plantation as well as n trading Compouy. Either m connection with tho trading Company, or alliod with it, (hough under separate management, should lie a Bank. It is m this matter of a Bank that tho assistance of the Now Zealand Government might be invokod by requesting its guarantee of say — per cent interest on a cortain fixed capital for a given time. A trading Company and Bank having been established, it would then certninly be advisable, perhaps even essential, to start a Land and Plantation Company. Such a Company might oven ndvantngcously to floated simultaneously with tho former, provided it wero under totally distinct management. Tho Natives of these islands will not work. Thoyoan ricver bb depended upon for a regular supply of island produce. The cultivations of settlers will alone afford a cortuiu source of supply, but the saino reason which prevonlß tho Natives from cultivating for themselves will also prevent tho planter from obtaining a, supply of labor for bis land unless the present arbitrary, high-hatidod and one-sided rulo of tho High Oommis»ioner of tho Western Phouli: be nllorod. I was informed iv Samoa Hint (he Icng-stiimliiig lint prohibiting

abm,t 1 ' T jeCt \ r T lm P° rtitJ g borers was about to be withdrawn, and that Mesurs Uacarthur arc about to introduce 300 laborers Tins Company wUI require a capital of at least £250,000 will? headquarters m New Zealand. It should, I think, establish Us principal loading depot \t Papete, with depots on the principal islands of each group. The Ec establishments would each require a district manager, with a staff o£ clerks and storekeepers, aud there should also be a general trading managor, attached to no particular group, but occasionally travelling round supervising the whole. These managers should all be men of the greatest business capacity and knowledge of tbo Island trade that can be obtained. The salary m the finst place should be no object, as the selection of a competent manager is a matter of vital importance, that of each subordinate of comparatively alight import. In the inferior islands of a group, goods might be even supplied to dealers, who could ba depended on to repay m produce at a fixed rate. At any rate, these out-stores would cost comparatively little m managemem", being allowed a fixed premium on goods sold and produce brought m. The Company must possess a fleet of (a) two steamers, say of the Janet Nichol type, for trada between the Islands and New Zealand ; (J) two or three schooners, or one or two 100 tons small steamers for each group, according to extent, or other circumstances. Tn order to encourage inter-insular trade, a matter o£ great and growing importance to New Zealand I would suggest that aU duties on Island products should be removed, and trade made absolutely free. A small but pregnant', oxamplc will illustrate my reason. A fow ycavs brick dr.'ed bananas were largely imported into I,'ow Zealand. They were then subject to a duty of Id. They havo Cor the last two years benu liable, with other dried fruits, to a duty of 2d per Ib. Importing has, m consequence, all but. ceased, and nearly the whole of the Island produce of this wholesome form of fruit now finds its way to Sydney.