DIRECT SHIPPING TO THE SOUTH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 273, 30 August 1946, Page 2

DIRECT SHIPPING TO THE SOUTH

NEW PROGRAMME TO BE TRIED FORTNIGHTLY SAILINGS FROM LONDON (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 29. Fortnightly sailings from London, and calls by overseas ships at both Nortl} Island and South Island main ports and certain out-ports, are part of a programme to be instituted soon. The Canterbury Chamber of Commerce has received this advice in a letter dated August 20 from the London Chamber of Commerce, replying to representations for direct shipment to the South 'island. The letter states that a circular from the Australian and New Zealand Merchants’ and Shippers’ Association stated that the New Zealand conference would issue a programme of sailings in the near future, showing that vessels would call at both north and south main ports and at the out-ports of Bluff, Napier, and New Plymouth. This circular stated that this was a type of experiment to try to get back to the pre-war system, though if insufficient cargo was forthcoming for the out-ports these calls would not be continued. The circular drew attention to the sailings of the Port Alma to Bluff, closing about September 16. It also stated that sailings up to the end of the year would be issued soon by the lines to all interested shippers. The fortnightly sailings from London could be continued only if sufficient support was given.