Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 82

IV.—Extension of Trade with New Zealand

IV.—Extension of Trade with New Zealand.

There is, I consider, a good prospect of opening up a large and lucrative trade between Tahiti and New Zealand. The facts in favour of this are (1) the large market that exists for New Zealand products; (2) Auckland being nearer than Sydney or San Francisco, which latter places have now the trade; (3) the previous existence of a large trading connection between Tahiti and Auckland, and the excellent reputation which our goods bear in the Tahiti market; and (4) the regular communication supplied by the mail steamer, Janet Nicoll. The importance of the latter condition will be understood when it is mentioned that for nearly sixteen years there has been a monthly mail schooner between Tahiti and San Francisco, the result being seen in the volume of American trade reaching a total of over. £140,000 last year, against £1000 for New Zealand during the same period. As the Americans are our most formidable competitors for the trade of Tahiti, I have been at some pains to discover the prices at which produce, etc., are supplied from San Francisco. Tinned meats, for example, cost 15s. per dozen 2 lb. tins at San Francisco, but it is admitted that the meat is of inferior quality to that supplied from Auckland. Flour is put on board at San Francisco for £8 per ton, and lately it reached the exceptionally low price of £7 16s. Salt pork is $14 per 200 lb. keg; rice, $56 per 2000 lbs.; biscuit, medium, 3 cents per lb., best, 3¼ cents per lb. Freights from San Francisco are occasionally as low as 25s. per ton—a result of page 42 keen competition, a line of steamers having lately started running in opposition to the old established sailing line. I am not sure but an opening exists in Tahiti for New Zealand frozen meat. At present about two bullocks are slaughtered daily and the meat is retailed by Chinese butchers at 1s. 2d. to 1s. 3d. per lb. Our meat will doubtless be much superior to that raised in Tahiti; and in that expectation, all the residents to whom I spoke on the subject, from Governor Moran downwards, strongly favoured the introduction of our frozen meat, more especially as the erection of a cool chamber would ensure them fresh butter, cheese, game, and other luxuries which Frenchmen particularly know how to appreciate. Tinned butter is meanwhile the only kind procurable in Tahiti, and it sells at 2s. 6d. per lb., so that fresh butter from New Zealand would be certain to command at least 3s. per lb. Soap is chiefly got from Sydney, the best quality having 40 or 56 bars to the cwt. and costing £25 per ton. Unrefined sugar (grown and manufactured on the island) is sold at 6d. per lb-, while cube sugar (the kind mostly used by Europeans) sells at rod. per lb. The whole question of mail subsidies is presently under the consideration of the Government at Tahiti, and there is a possibility of some small assistance being extended to the Janet Nicoll. In conversation with Mr. Martin, President of the Chamber of Commerce, that gentleman expressed himself as very desirous of encouraging commercial intercourse with New Zealand; and on my mentioning the possibility of a mail service to New Caledonia being started, in connection with the running of the Janet Nicoll, he said he would urge on the Chamber to influence the Government to support such a proposal. Were such a service instituted, I need not point out what important results it would have on the commercial relations of Tahiti and New Zealand. The importance of the trade will be seen from the large consumpt of articles which New Zealand either produces or can supply on favourable terms—the value of which in 1884 was as under :—
Flour £10,200
Salt and Preserved Meats 7,500
Dried and Preserved Fish 5,000
Soap 4,350
Timber 6,400
Biscuits 3,800
Coal 3,380
Sugar 2,300
Cheese and Butter 1,540
Coffee and Tea 1,800
Tobacco and Cigars 1,300
Horses, Cattle, Pigs and Sheep 1,000
Potatoes 700
Apples and other Fruits 300
Onions 180
Bricks 200
page 43

With reference to onions, I found that they were being retailed at 10d. per lb.—a price which will appear fabulous to New Zealand producers. Another article which commands a high price at present is bricks—£5 per thousand being paid for them. Though the import of these was inconsiderable last year, there is reason to expect that the demand will largely increase, as, since a destructive fire which took place two years ago, a regulation has been passed rendering it compulsory to build with brick, stone, or concrete within a certain area of the town. Mahurangi cement for the making of concrete might be introduced. A. lucrative trade in the supply of live stock, particularly horses, might also be established with Tahiti. Five horses were imported last year from San Francisco at an average price in San Francisco of £20 10s. each, but they are a far inferior class of animal to what New Zealand could supply for the money. Already a start has been made for the transfer of this trade to New Zealand. On the present trip of the Janet Nicoll Mr. Edenborough entered into an agreement with the commander of the battery at Papeete to provide horses of a certain specified stamp, at £30 each, landed in Tahiti. Three horses are to be taken as a first consignment, but forty in ail are required.