'FROM ISLAND UNTO ISLAND: 323 



obtained from the surrounding isles ; and it would thus become 

 a very valuable property, if worked by a business-like cor- 

 poration, based perhaps on the lines of Messrs. Godeffroy's. 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 



' FROM ISLAND UNTO ISLAND AT THE GATEWAYS OF THE DAY.' 



THE selection of ' trade ' for an all-round cruise requires ex- 

 perience and judgment. It used to be a foolish saying in 

 England, ' Oh, anything will do for the colonies ;' but anything 

 WON'T do for the islands. The following chapter is devoted to 

 a rhumi of information picked up while accompanying a friend 

 on various lengthy cruises to the outlying archipelagoes of the 

 Pacific, during which we found out over and over again that what 

 would suit one group would be quite unsaleable in the next. Cer- 

 tain goods can always be safely taken, and a large profit can be 

 relied on, even on Levuka prices, which for many articles of 

 ' trade ' are much higher than London figures. If a suitable 

 vessel were chartered in London, with good passenger ac- 

 commodation, and loaded with quick-selling cargo, it would be 

 comparatively easy for any persons whom this book may 

 interest to study things Polynesian themselves in a very com- 

 fortable fashion. In addition to an exceptionally beautiful 

 cruise, with almost certain fair weather and calm sea, money 

 should be made by those interested, and arrangements might 

 be entered into which would lay the foundation for a profit- 

 able growing trade. I merely throw out the hint to gentlemen 

 who may be glad to learn that there is still a region which, 

 although discovered in great measure by a certain Captain 



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