The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1871-11-25
The Australian Line.

By the steamer Moses Taylor which arrived on
Monday last, Mr.. w. FL. Webb, the eminent
shipbuilder and owner, came as passenger, en-
route for New Zealand and Australia, for which
parts he sailed on the NeUdda the same evening.
We understand that Mr.. Webb visits New Tea
land at the invitation of that government, and
that a number of the prominent merchants of
Melbourne and Sydney have extended a special
invitation to him to visit the colonies, and confer
personally on the subject of the Australian Line
across the Pacific. As the energetic originator OF
this great enterprise, he will undoubtedly be re-
ceiyed most cordially, and the result of his visit
may confidently be looked for in the permanent
establishment of the line on a solid basis, SO far
as the Colonies are concerned.
The recent conference held at Melbourne by
representatives from the different colonies, has re-
suited in an agreement to recommend to the sew
eral Legislatures, a very large appropriation
lover 5000 ,000) for annual subsidies to two pos
tai lines, via Suez and San Francisco. This ar
rangement however was to be subject to the
Home government paying one half the expense of
both services. Meantime the conference adjourned
without making any provision for a temporary
line, the time fixed for commencing the proposed
cuDoAOlOo OCAuR " dtC tiidi w - Nv
that after all, nothing really definite or s~atisfac-
tory has been arrived at by the Melbourne con-
ference, beyond the fact that the Colonies are
convinced of the Importance of sustaining the
route via San Francisco. 1t is to be hoped that
the presence of Mr.. Webb in the conferences of
the men of wealth and enterprise of the colonies,
and the representations which he will be able to
make, will hasten decisive action. 1t is confident
ly expected that the American Congress, which
meets next month, will decide to aid the enter
prise by a substantial subsidy, of at least $780,
600 per annum.
A telegram dated New York, November ID, to
the effect that the New York Chamber of Com
merce had taken action unfavorably to the grant
ing of a subsidy to an American line of steam
ships from San Francisco to Australia, appears
to be incorrect. The agents of Webb's line
received on the 4th a dispatch as follows, which
puts the case in a different light
New YORK. Nov. 3.-The report of The Special Committee
Of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday, in reference to
in reference to our shipping interests, by Messrs. A. A. Low,
Stranahan, Crittenden, Mayor Opdyke, and others. That
Francisco to Australia was referred back to the Committee,
snd in ,ns.tIG { u q Iepor. at a special Sa meeting Of the chamber
the New Zealand and Australian line from San Francisco.
This decided recommendation by 80 influential
a body as the New York Chamber of Commerce,
ought, and doubtless will have the effect to arouse
Congress to the Importance of encouraging
promptly and efficiently this important American
enterprise. The fact once known, (and it is now
sufficiently evident to be beyond question: that
this Australian line is no speculative enterprise,
but is rapidly to become the means of building
up a great and wealth-producing commerce
between the two prominent branches of the
Anglo-Saxon race, bringing in its train all the
untold advantages of free and friendly intercourse,
must certainly impress upon statesmen and
Legislators the paramount Importance of affording
it at once the fullest possible aid and encourage
ment.
Another telegram which we find in the COM
pany Of the one quoted above, more particularly
affects our own business relations abroad. 1t
states that Secretary Boutwell, authorizes the
company to carry merchandise in bond to and
from Europe, to and from New Zealand and
Tasmania, "bm not the Sandwich Islands. -
What may this mean? Is it intended to " freeze
us out?" And if so, it would be well to ascer-
tain what it is that has brought us into such bad
odor with the powers that be at Washington, as
to omit us particularly from reasonable privileges
that are accorded to all the rest of the world.
Perhaps our Chamber of Commerce can give
some light upon the subject. 1t may however
turn out that this is but another blunder of the
telegraph reason and common sense would lead
us to hope 80, at least.