TRADE BETWEEN DUNEDIN AND FIJI.

West Coast Times, Issue 3847, 6 August 1881, Page 3

TRADE BETWEEN DUNEDIN AND FIJI.

The Fiji Times, in an article advocating steam communication with New Zealand, says :—": — " In considering this subject it must not be forgotten that whether the Auckland Steamship Company decide to put on a larger vesael or not, steam communication with New Zealand, and not with Auckland, is the aim to be kept in view. We have pointed out on former occasions that the Auckland market is altogether too limited to admit of anything but a peddling trade being caried on with it, and this fact is so well recognised in Fiji that it is unnecessary to recapitulate the arguments in proof. It is the large cities of tho South that must be looked to as offering a wide Hold lor the extension of our commercial relations and any ecrvice that dies not embrace connection with Dunedin, is not one that the Fijian Government would be justified in subsidiaing. Keeping this main fact in view, the Union Company i 3 naturally suggested to the wind of a business man, as the beat available medium through which this communication can be at present established. This company possesses boats eminently fitted, both as regards speed and carrying capacity, for the service required. With the Wanakn, Taiaroa, Ladybird, or Waitaki, the round service could he easily performed within Ahe month. ) Leaving Levuka, the vessel would firat touch at Auckland and then dovetail into the Now Zealand trade as she. ran south, calling at Napier, Wellington, Lyttelton, with Dunedin as her terminus. This would not only open up an extensive market for our fruit export, but for altnoßt every other staple product of the colony.