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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 71

History of the New Zealand Shipping Company, Limited. — An interesting example of Colonial enterprise

page 54

History of the New Zealand Shipping Company, Limited.

An interesting example of Colonial enterprise.

Amongst the many important undertakings which owe their existence to the foresight and enterprise of the New Zealanders, none has been more conspicuously useful than the New Zealand Shipping Company, which was formed at Christchurch in 1872 to facilitate the then increasing commerce between the Colony and the mother country. But the most sanguine of the promoters could hardly have gauged its beneficial influence in contributing to the opening up of a land which the late Governor, the Earl of Onslow, has so truly remarked is, by its industrial conditions; its climate, its institutions, and its laws of all our Colonies the one best suited to the British race.

Prior to its inauguration, the mercantile and industrial communities were, as regards ocean carriage, in the hands of a monopoly which subordinated the growing interests of the Colony to their own immediate benefits. As a consequence, the enterprising colonists who had created the trade decided to defend it by taking the initiative in establishing

A Direct Colonial Line with Great Britain.

The competition thus created stimulated those who previously held the field to exert their influence to prevent page 55 the diversion of their trade. But the patriotic zeal which animated the founders intensified in proportion to the need, and an appeal was issued to the Exporters to support the new undertaking in the interests of the Colony whilst the importers in turn were reminded of the too familiar fact that it was "necessary to release themselves from the excessive rates of freight which restricted the development of commerce, and to enjoy those facilities of direct communication which should obviate the risk and damage entailed by transhipment in Australia."

These cogent appeals received the anticipated response. All the shares were absorbed in New Zealand and an announcement made of the charter of eighteen fine clipper ships and the despatch of the

"First Direct Wool Ship for London."

This marked an important epoch in the commercial history of New Zealand, for the facilities thus initiated by the New Zealand Shipping Company have since resulted in doubling the export trade of the Colony.

The hostility of the Company's competitors then remained latent until the first vulnerable moment, and no sooner had the Colonial Company incurred heavy responsibilities in contracting with the Government for the carriage of all their emigrants and cargo than a vigorous attack had to he resisted. A war of rates ensued, but the colonists were not unmindful of the consequences of surrender. The loss of many thousands of pounds only stimulated their energies. A stout front demonstrated that the New Zealand Shipping Company had "come to stay," and a tariff of rates equitable to all concerned was adopted, under which trade grew apace, five new ships being contracted for.

The advantages thus accruing to New Zealand were stated by the Chairman two years later, when he remarked that page 56 the Company had "effected a saving of at least £200,000 to the wool growers, grain producers and mercantile community of the Colony." This

Recognition of the Services of the Company

was, however, not restricted to those more immediately interested, for a few years later Sir Julius Vogel, at the conclusion of a speech delivered at Christchurch, remarked, in connection with a review of the progress of the Colony:—"It would be wrong for me to refrain from alluding to the New Zealand Shipping Company, of which Canterbury should be proud, for to that Company was due the credit of being the pioneer of direct steam communication with the mother country. The benefits of this, both practical and sentimental, are immense, and the New Zealand Shipping Company deserves credit for having effected that, unaided by any Government subsidy."

Returning to the period under review (1875), we find that the facilities afforded by the New Zealand Shipping Company had contributed to a great extent to the unprecedented increase (within five years) of 100 per cent, in the import trade, taxing to the fullest the carrying powers of the Company. It rose, however, to the occasion, doubled its fleet, and strengthened its position in London by the appointment of a Board of Advice.

A new aspect then presented itself, for the remarkable vitality of the industries rendered it imperative to inaugurate a more efficient coastal service, not only to foster the local trade, but to feed the inter-oceanic service. The requirements were soon detected, and the same foresight and enterprise which the New Zealanders had shown in establishing the New Zealand Shipping Company were reasserted in the