Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 1885. "MEASURES, NOT MEN "

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1173, 22 August 1885, Page 2

Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 1885. "MEASURES, NOT MEN "

A very interesting paper on the South Sea Islands was read before a meeting of the merchants of Oamaru on Wednesday by Mr J. L. Allan, the delegate sent from Oamaru in the Janet Nicoll to report upon the islands as a probable source of trade for this Colony. Speaking of Tonga, or the Friendly Islands, Mr Allan says that at Tongatabu, the main island, which is 15 miles long by 7 broad, there is a perfectly safe harbor, seoure from all winds, but which cannot be entered after dark on account of the numerous coral reefß which surround it. The islands are chiefly low and flat, with the exception of Eoa (one of the group), which _is mountainous. This island is well grassed, and is used as a sheep-run, from which the mutton supply of the group is derived. The chief product of these islands — as indeed of the whole South Pacific — is copra, Mr Allan seutentiously remarking that the whole country, including the people themselves, smells of cocoa-nut oil. Of £95,000 worth of exports from Tonga, copra alone represents £90,000, which will give some indication of the importance of this product. The natives gather the nuts, dry the copra, and sell it to the merchants at prices- ranging between £8 and £10 10s per ton, receiving half cash and half barter, as a rule. Most^of the copra is sent Home through a' German rirm, though a little of it finds its way to New Zealand. Those merchants trading with the islands say that, at present prices, copra does not pay ; but as they can obtain a hundred per cent on Sydney and New Zealand prices for the goods which they sell to the natives they are thus enabled to realise a profit. The natives are large consumers of flour, biscuits, and tinned meat ; but the chief supply of the former comes from California, there being a universal prejudice against New Zealand flour, while it is gratifying to be informed that New Zealand tinned meats, potatoas, and onions are held in high esteem. Prejudice even goes so far as to prefer American timber to kauri, which latter is said not to resist the depredations of the white ant, although, as a standing proof to the contrary, Mr Allan states that he waa shown through the king's church, the interior of which was beautifully fitted up with nothing else but kauri. All the natives have laud of their own, and each his grove of cocoanut trees. Land cannot be bought by outsiders, though, in some cases, it can be leased for a term of years. Although cotton and coffee grow well, both ■ are almost entirely neglected for the cocoanut, which may be grown pretty well all over the islands. From thirty to fifty trees are planted to the acre, and after eight years, it is reported, each tree will yield 2s 6d worth of copra, while horses and cattle can graze on the grass between the trees. Xhe soil is revy fertile, the chief drawback being the difficulty in securing labor ; but, as in some of the islands the heat is never so great as it is in Oamaru at times, Mr Allan sees no reason why white labor should not be employed. The freight from New Zoaland ports to Tonga is £2 2s 6d per ton, to Samoa £2 7s 6d, and to Tahiti £2 12s Od. If New Zealand millers can only make flour that wiJf stand the climate it should be a very easy matter to drive the Californian aiticle, which sells at from £14 to £15 a ton, out of the market. The currency is the Chilian dollar, nominally valued at 4s, but actually worth 3s 2d, so that current prices must be reckoned accordingly. The formation of a strong company and the establishment of a bank at Tonga, Mr Allan thinks, would soon overcome the currency difficulty. The chief export to New Zealand would be fruit, of which there is plenty of the very finest quality ; but owing to the Janet Nicoll calling at Tongo first, the market is practically closed. It is chiefly with Tonga and Samoa that the attempt should be made to open up trade with this Colony, as American competition takes effect at Tahiti. Mr Allan next goes on to describe the Samoan Group ; but, with slight modification, what has been related of Tonga fairly represents the trade, &c, of other islands. Samoa consists of three I

main islands, the smallest of which, contains the finest harbor in the South Pacific. Although k£teri^an influence issparamount fet Samoa, Eog]|tßh«is the language upoken, and in-. all the?islands whero the .natives Bpeak ariy/ /lang uage ofehur than their .own tl&Manijjiiagesjs Unglishj'whfch shows >in f^^yor^jifieh a^dAmaric^hfluence, despite tho Kigh-hande^ r attrtMe of Germany. Without going any fuller into detailß, it will be readily enough seen that in these islands, with a little kindly fostering, there is a splendid outlet for trade with. thiß ; Colony,, which has all the advantages in its favor in every particular, ;ifionly these natural advantages are put into requisition. The islands are fertile and .capable of, yielding in .abundance, many valuable productions which would find a ready sale in our markets, and in the present depressed state of trade in this Colony, with the often-expressed desire for closer bonds with Samoa, . it would be well worth our while to make an effort to Idevelop the trade and resources of the islands. In exchange for their fruits, cotton,- and.cqffee, we can supply them with meat, flour, and a thousand other things which their advancing civilisation will always create a growing market- for. Freer intercourse between us and them will also point out in what, direction it might be advisable to extend the cultivation of products not found naturally in the islands. . It has already been demonstrated that cotton of the. very best quality can be grown, and sugar, and coffee find both 'suil and climate favorable. The labor difficulty is the chief barrier in the way in the meantime. The natives are not particularly partial to continuous labor, as they can always get enough to satisfy their limited want» with a very slight expenditure of muscular energy. The r labor traffic among the other islands has ' been overdone, so that it is almost im- > possible to tempt the natives to leave their island homes ; therefore, either the übiquitous Chinaman must be looked to, or white men themselves must learn to toil beneath the tropic heat. As the out- ! come of the reports given by the different delegates who accompanied the Janet Nicoll on her last trip, it is desirable that a trading company should be formed for the express purpose of opening up a trade between this Colony and the South Sea Islands. The material is all there ; it only requires capital to turn it into profi t able trade.