The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1871-01-14
Across the Pacific.

The Peninsular and ORIENTAL SteaInsniP ~
pany carry between the mother country ana 'o
Australian and New Zealand colonies about l'o
frst-class passengers per month. For TINS ser''0.
they exact the highest passenger rates demanoeu
by any Steamship Company in existence anu
carry no second-elass or Storage passenger.
Having the monopoly of the carrying trade, gaiheu
and assured by their judicious use of their heavy
subsidies, as well as by their great strength anu
power of defying competition, they have had TIC
bulk of the East Indian service under their con-
troll. Though it cannot be said that they have In
anywise abused it, still we are 30 situated here
that we have an idea that a little competition IN
regard to a certain portion of the East India ser
vice may prove wholesome, and to many OF the
interested parties, highly advantageous.
The laboring classes, and all those whose limited
means compel them to take passage to or from the
colonies in ~emigrant vessels, have been hitherto'
and are still, subjected to all the privations, incon-
venieucies and suffering of a long and tedious sea
voyage, under the most unpleasant attendant CIR
cumstances, and with little or no accommodations
to speak of. The rates of passage which are
charged there are cheap to be sure, because both
the colonies and the mother country have studied
the problem of immigration, and have to a certain
extent extended facilities and encouragement TO It's
progress. But there is no reason whatever 10
doubt, that the system of travel between Europe
and America, and between America East ana
America West, combined with such n steamship
line as it is contemplated to organize across the
Pacific, should not draw to themselves all OF thc
Australian and New Zealand passenger trafhc,
now monopolised by the old-established Eastern
routes. The inducements which it holds out to
passengers and emigrants are a saving OF time,
particularly for the latter class cheapness suPe-
rior vessels, with superior accommodations and
a route which is neither monotOnous nor tedious,
three thousand miles of it being by land. 10 no
part of the voyage are passengers subjected to any
Of the many unpleasant features which charac-
terize the route now in vogue. 1t has no Red
Sea to traverse beneath a scorching and broiling
sun, none of the seemingly endless tedium Of the
Indian Ocean, and is free of the disagreeabie ac-
compartments of all long sea voyages. Its adj
vantages as compared with travel in the Eastern
Hemisphere are numerous and apparent, and are
freely testified to by all the passengers who have
tried it by the aid Of the inefficient and ill-adaptcd
steamer line that has attempted to establish itself.
AS a proof Of this, we may state that many OF
those who came through with the first two steam
ers, and whose business in England only required
their presence there for a brief period, are TO
turning by this route in preference to the +. 30.
Some who did not wish to again incur the in
conyeniences and discomfort to which they were
subjected between Honolulu and Auckland, re-
turned by the old route. ~-ttr
Well informed gentlemen, merchants and bust
ness men, from Sydney and the nearer ports,
have given it as their opinion that such a line Of
steamers as Mr.. Webb proposes to start, is not
only a good business speculation, but is an abso-
lutte requirement of the Colonies which sooner or
later must be met. Here in San Francisco, as n
business community we recognize very fully all
the advantages which will accrue to us from the
successful establishment of a through trans Pacific
mail and passenger service. We perceive the nc
cessity which the Colonies experience of closer
and quicker communication with the old country,
and we appreciate and understand their inclina-
tion for closer and more intimate relations with
the United States. Into the commercial aspect of
the matter it is not necessary now to inquire Of
its importance and ultimate value in this respect
to us and the Colonies we are assured, and have
no doubt that with the establishment OF the line
it will speedily develop itself. Recognizing there
fore the mutual advantages to be derived, we wish
to see a similar appreciation eyinced by our neigh
bors. We hope to see a liberal subsidy accorded
a sound and reliable line, and such other practical
encouragement extended as may tend to advance
its interests and their own, and conduce to is
permanence and efficiency. As to action Of Con-
gress in the matter, we are assured that there
will be no further delay, and that the subsidy de-
manded at the last session will be unhesitatingly
granted. The report of the Committee fully can
vassed the entire project from beginning to end,
and was as favorable as could be desired, and
were it not for the unusual press and hurry of
business, amid which the proceedings Of Congress
were wound up, the delay would never have oc-
CURED. We wish to see capable and ~irst-class
American lines of steamers developing the trade
and commerce of the Pacific. We have been IA
successful, and retarded for various reasons in our
Atlantic shipping progress, and England has in
many respects distanced us in that direction. But
while We have this example to learn from, ind
while we understand its cause and see where and
how to apply the remedy, in our own case, we
should not hesitate to do sos. +. Bulletin.
The proposed Pacific cable to connect San