New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-12
WILLIAM II. WEBB ANDsTHE NEW-ZEALAND
STEAMSHIP LINE.

Mr.. William II. Webb, the eminent ship
builder who recently inaugurated the United States
New Zealand and Australian Steamship Line, While re-
Gently in San Francisco invited to public banquet
by large number of the leading merchants Of that city,
in which they say:
"Whie California much TO you, by reason OF your
connection with the State during the period OF IT. cary
development and since more recent en0r IN oflhs
United States, in intimate commercial relations
with vast population, speaking our own nngu.
Of more than an ordinary tribute of gratitude.
Nor these considerations the least OF those which
eutite you to high rank among public beneactors. To
you, and 10 that class OF representative men IKE you Is
to be credited the commanding position reached Dy tne
American merchant marine for many years prior TO the
year 1900 Regarded at that time as source or PRIDE
and admiration by our countrymcn, and viewed
with jealousy by our competitors Europe il became
power in the commercial marine OF the world ana II t
troll to you no less belongs much OF the credit Tor It's
growth and glory.
Mr.. Webb, on account Of pressing business engage
mens felt impelled to decline the honor Of banquet,
and his polite letter TO that effect said:
It's true have continuously, since ls4s, been SO di-
rectly engaged in maratime enterprises connected wIth
to the proud distinction OF pioneer and regret had
not many years visited your city and taken per
ing myself Of the peculiar advantages and enjoy
ment of your unriya9d port ana ci,nae e T Iln,
that Government wholly abandoned it's protection
Amercap mn shin owner and thus r6wne The business
and trade into the hands Of only rivals and enabling
them TO occupy the proud position previously held Oy us
IL consolation for these sacrifices 70 know that
my continued efforts TO maintain and resuscitatc our
commerce are aCknOwledgedby large and Influential
body those representing the mercantile and com
mercial Interests OF the Pacific have ful faith
that the establishment OF our steamship line,
by which the extremes OF your Pacific Ocean
are brought nearer together will promote a more init
mute and kindly Intercourse between the two young and
enerprsng nations just sprngiug into greatness in the
hemispheres opposite sides OF that great ocean,
whose Inhabitants speak the same language ana are gov
erued by similar and religious IDEAS also that by
these the inhabitants OF the numerous Islands IN
DacfHc yl he yl "A
of barbarsm TO OF civilization, and also into
commercial relations with the rest Of mankind.
Perhaps i'll your day, IL may rpen into an al
lance such as win not only benefit both, but be
power which shall insure peace, prosperity ana nap
pness all the nations this side OF the globe Already
the people of NewZeaand and Australia have taken
the initiative by showing in practical ana unhis-
taxable manner their great desire to become intimately
connected and 10 establish friendly and permanent
relations with peoples by recently granting most
liberal subsidies for the establishment of lines OF mall
between the two countries. IL now only re-
mains for the people OF country Of this coast par
cuary give similar and equal evidence OF the same
desire their part, 10 build up an extensive and in
| pOrtant commerce, and consolidate friendship that
may coexsant with the life OF the several countries