Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-01-03
PLANTERS SEEK,
BIG STEAMERS

3 Cdnadian-Australas sian service IS de
/ EJned TO be greatly welcomed by co.,
! ri, sugar and banana exporters OF tie
! pressed there at recent gathering OF
those largely interested in the develop
nr ut of the islands that lie TO &c
/ !yCutfiard of Honolulu.
/ Il am surprised at the small volume
! Of trade carried on between Vancouver
! and Fiji. There are all the natural
elements necessary for the develop
rrpnt of a large and profitable trade
between these two places. The presen:
trade could easily, and at a relatively
shall cost, be increased tenfold."
The above statement was made to
II representative Of the "News-Adrer
tiser" by Mr.. Dyson Blair. Land Com
missioner for Fiji
The Fijian Legislature has recent
/ IL passed a resolution to the effect
that 1t would be desirable to approach
I the Canadian Government with view
10 develop closer trade relations De
tween Canada and Fiji" he continued.
Fiji at present imports a small
amount OF timber and canned fish from
british Columbia, while the sale eX-
pot of the island to this province is
an occasional cargo of raw sugar for
the sugar refinery.
THE most important product of the
islands is bananas, of which over a
lni1lion punches, or practically all the
crop, are annually exported to New
Zealand and Australia. The production
is limited by the demand, as the is
lands could easily produce from four
to five million punches every year.
believe there is a good market for
Fijian bananas in this city and pro-
virce am informed that an average
bunch of bananas sells mere at, $3.50
per bunch. We can deliver them I. o,
/. at Suva at so cents per bunch. A
bunch may contain anything from 100
10 200 fruits.
AT the present time it is practically
impossible for us to export the fruit
to Vancouver, because all the steamers
Of the an-Australasian line have
their cold storage capacity exhausted
oy New Zealand butter or Australian
mutton before they reach Suva. We
export bananas as far as Melbourne,
which is over ten days from Suva, and
the fruit arrives in first class condi-
ton. The journey to Vancouver is
only a matter of three days more.
There is fruit inspection de-
partment in Suva which looks att
er the condition of the islands.
The government is planning 60-mile
railway line into the interior, which
T'il ltap a rich banana and sugar
territory. Surveyors are already in
the field.
There is another product which
could easily be exported to Vancouver,
end that is copra, the dried inner ker-
rel of the cocoanut. There is val
uahle oil extracted from it, which is
Largely used in the manufacture OF
soap. a..
I'VE look forward to great devel-
opment of our trade after the opening
of the Panama Canal, as Suva should
then become an important coaling sta
ton, being o ntte high road Of Aus
tralia via Panama. In view of this,
the government has voted the sum
Il three-quarters of a n1illio ndollars
for harbor improvements, such as
dredging and increased wharfage.
The journey from Fill 70 England
via Vancouver is about IL days short,
er than by the Suez Canal, and the
fare is about the same. The majority
of the colonists. officials or planters
choose the longer sea route, owing to
the many extras which the railway
journey entails, such as meals on the
trains, and the incidental expenses OF
transferring from steamer to train and
wee versa.
TT would we'll repay the traveller
With leisure on his way to Australia
from Vancouver or vice versa, TO
break his journey for week or so at
Fiji. The islands have all the tropical
charms, and something more, or Hone
lulu, which has become great tourist
center for Americans. The Union
Steamship Company is building a fine
up-to-date hotel at Suya, where the
tourist will find every comfort and
convenience"
Schooner Patterson Goes to Sea.
DELAYED at the port for weeks pend
ing the completion of necessary re
pairs, the American schooner w. j.
Patterson was lowed to sea late yes
terday evening by the Matson Naviga-
ton tug Intrepid. The Patterson ar
rived here on November % with a
full shipment of lumber. Following
the discharge of this cargo, the YES.
sci was hauled on the marine railway
for cleaning and repainting. Consid-
cradle repair and refitting was done
above the water line.
Noeau Found Difficult Landings.
officers In the island coasting
steamer Noeau, found much difficulty
in making some of the landings along
the Garden Island on the last trip.
The vessel returned to port this