EASTERN PACIFIC TRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 75, 28 March 1924, Page 7

EASTERN PACIFIC TRADE.

OBJECTION TO CHANGES. DIRECT STEAMER NECESSARY. RESOLUTION OF PROTEST. A resolution, expressing Auckland's objections to the proposal of the Union Steamship Company to alter the running of the Eastern Pacific Islands steamer, was carried without dissent at a large meeting of citizens and business men in the Conceit Chamber of the Town Hall last evening. -Mr. J. H. Gunson (Mayor) presided, and was supported on the platform by Mr. J. A. Young. M.1 , . (Chairman of Parliamentary committees), Mr. 11. H. Mackenzie (chairman of the Harbour Board), Mr. Bartram, M.P., and officers of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. The resolution, which was moved by Mr. J. B. Donald, read as follows: — "That in view of tlie fact that the trade between Auckland and the Cook Islands through fifty years of strenuous effort has been largely built up by the Auckland merchants, also in view of the great loss that would ensue to this city and district, this meeting mosi emphatically protests to the Government against its* proposal to divert the steamer service between Auckland and the Eastern Pacific to Wellington, and respectfully urges Cabinet to rescind such proposal. Furthermore, seeing the great future the islands hold out for profitable development it strongly urges and requests that the Government arrange for a regular four-weekly fast service out of Auckland to the Cook Islands, being satisfied that the trade of Auckland and the interests of the Cook Islands demand such a service." "Dominated Shipping Interests." Mr. Gunson said tllflt the j Union Company had practically dominated the shipping interests of this Dominion, and it was a matter of great regret that in the development of this country the extension of shipping in the interests of Auckland had not been greater. We were suffering from the dominance of the Union Steamship Company. '•Auckland does not owe very much to the Union -Steamship Company," said his Worship. "That is a considered statement. Had it not been for the alertness of the merchants of Auckland their interests would have been less ] faithfully considered than they have !been." As an instance of this Mr. I Gunson mentioned the effort of the Union Company in 1910 to introduce changes into the Vancouver service, which would drop Auckland as a port of call. The Auckland Chamber of Commerce secured the retention of that service for Auckland, and it had been a great benefit. "We had not to thank the Union Company for I that, but the Auckland Chamber of 'Commerce. It was a concession that they were forced to make to the opinion and weight of influence that Auckland possessed."'

His Worship concluded by saying that Auckland was now threatened with having filched from lier even the small residue that remained.

Mr. A. CJ. Lunn spoke on behalf of Mr. Martin, president of the Chamber of Commerce, who could not he present.

'"The fruit business,"' he said, "which is the largest part of the imports concerned in this shipping question, has been developed very largely in Auckland, and between a quarter and half a million pounds invested in it. This has been done without Government subsidy or assistance of any kind. It is a great pity that a subsidised trade in the South should endanger its existence."

Mr. H. K. Mackenzie said that the Harbour Board had made provision in its harbour works for special berthing accommodation for fruit-carrying steamers. It would do all in its power to see that no injustice was done £o the port.

Mr. J. A. Young, M.P., read an outline of the proposals received in a telegram from Sir Maui Pomare, stating that the best interests of the Cooic Islands producers and consumers were being considered, and it did not appear that the proposals could in any way be detrimental to Auckland. It would still remain the receiving port for the largest proportion oi tropical fruit. Mr. Voting was assured by gentlemen associated with the Cook Islands that as far as the native growers were concerned they did not export their fruit on consignment, but sold it in the Islands, that is, f.o.b. Therefore it was not necessary to worry about the growers.

Auckland should be tlie first port of call for the Island fruit steamer because it was nearer by almost a day's steaming. If it was necessary to tranship fruit at all this should be done from Auckland, as was the case before the war.

Mr. J. B. Donald, mover of the resolution of protest, traced the development of tlie Island service during the past 50 years. After 1912, he said, the trade was very seriously interrupted by the war, and that was the reason why today there were such complaints about the Island trade. Fruit could not be made to pay with the irregular service that had been carried on during the .past seven years. "We must get back to the old four-weekly service if the trade is to be a success, and maintain a two-weekly connection with the Islands in conjunction with the mail steamer to Wellington," he said emphatically. Wo "Ring" in Auckland. There liad been some suggestion of a "ring" throttling trade in Auckland. "I would like to give that the lie direct," said Mr. Donald. "Anyone can go down to the Islands to-day "and buy as much fruit as he wants if he will only offer the pnce." Mr. Madndoe, in seconding the motion, said that he did not think the account sales in Wellington had been any better for the shippers than those in Auckland. Auckland had claims to the trade. iShe pioneered it, promoted it and invested her money in it; and her consumers represented a third of the population of New Zealand.

Mr. H. Turner submitted a second motion urging the Union Co. to continue the Island trade out of Auckland, and gave it as his opinion that if the whole of the Island trade went to Wellington then the market there would collapse completely. But if Auckland were provided, with an adequate service, enabling her to increase the importations of fruit by a fast direct steamer, it would be found that the market here could easily absorb the larger quantities, and oranges could be supplied at a reduction of from 25 to 50 per cent on present prices. The motion was seconded by Mr. Malcolm and carried unanimously.

It was decide , - on the motion of the Mayor to send copies of the first resolution to the Prime Minister and the members of the Cabinet, and of the second to the officials of the Union Steamship Co.