Los Angeles herald., 1891-02-10
THE SOUTH SEA ISLES.
WHAT A TRADER HAS TO SAY OF
THEIR COMMERCE.
Relief of American Shippers = Tahiti
Orange Trees Quick Bearers.

'sThe present condition of trade be-
tween the United States and the South
Sea islands, New Zealand and Australia,
is not at all encouraging and if congress
does not soon come to the relief of Ameri-
can shippers. we will lose not only that
but the trade of Japan, China and the
British Indies as well."
The above was given in reply to a
question by a HERALD reporter OF
Auguste Schmidt at the Hole nbeck last
night Mr.. Schmidt is . prominent ex-
porter and commission merchant OF
San Francisco, and arrived in Los An
geles few days ago on a visit to his
brother, L. Schmidt, of this city. Mr..
Schmidt is at present trading with the
Society islands and other South Sea
ports, and previous to locating in San
Francisco, twelve years ago, had
travelled throughout Egypt, Asia, China
and Japan. Ever since his location on
this coast he has been engaged in the
export and commission business, and is
therefore eminently qualified to render
an opinion. In the course of further
conversation, he said:
tMy trade with the Society Islands is
principally in the line of provisions.
We get very little from there in return.
The principal exports Of the islands are
shells, pearls, vanilla beans, cocoanuts,
dried cocoanut,. oranges. and q little
cotton. The islands are very fertile and
vegetation is luxuriant and of rapid
growth. Tahiti is generally spoken of
as the principal island, but this is erro-
neous. There are others in the group
1Dr IL 1>,rk N,l~
having the largest and best port is the
been pretty lauch around the world ,and
the islands for lazy people. Vegetables
grow without cultivation, and the fruit
on which many of the natives live is in
digeneous to the locality. There are
numerous fresh water lakes, and one can
have his choice of an excellent quality
of fresh op salt watar fish within an
hours walk The oranges, when culti-
vated, are sweeter than our California
fruit and the tree is of more rapid
growth. would advise your growers to
procure some of the seed and sow
them; in two years after planting the
seed, the tree will bear fruit. Your
representative sent out to the islands to
procure some OF the trees took passage
on my vessel on its last trip out. The
average steamer tima-between Tahiti and
San Francisco is thmty days.
We import shells, or mother of pearl,
from the islands, free OF duty. These
are forwarded to Europe, made into butt
tons and other articles. Why don't
some cne manufacture the articles on
the coast, and save not only this inn
mense tariff, but also the freigM both
ways2
I'm regard to California, the trade Of
the islands, Australia, New Zealand,
China and japan, / have this to say: If
congress does not soon come to the relief
OF American shippers, it will be but a
short time until that immense traffic
will go to Europe via the Vancouver ports
and the Canadian Pacific railway.
Let congress remove the heavy tax on
American vessels, and grant subsidies to
those engaged in foreign trade. Where
is there line OF foreign steamships thas
is not subsidized by its home govern
ment? Subsidized vessels, with no tax
to pay, can we'll afford to so lower the
cost of transportation as to- virtually
shut out American vessels, with a heavy
tax and no subsidy. Mark my words,
my boy; il something is not done you
will see San Francisco, San Diego and
other California ports relegated to coast
trading points within a very few years. y
Mr.. Schmidt is an Alsatian, and
! speaks many languages, having visited
and d'traded in nearly all parts Of the
known world. His visit is one Of pleas
ure, and he is greatly pleased with what
he has seen of Southern California.
That thig country will be noted for itz
production OF beet sugar he has not q
doubt, and by putting more land under
| cultivation Southern California will
increase in every way. He will return
! north TODAY He ia accompanied on
this trip by Mr.. Cavator, another we'll
known gan Francisco commission mer.
chant.