OUR STEAM SERVICES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 46, 23 February 1901, Page 4

OUR STEAM SERVICES.

The unsatisfactory nature of our intercolonial steam services has long given cause for serious complaint. Auckland has suffered more than a little from being- disadvantageous^ placed in this respect, when compared with Wellington. The stream of Australian and foreign tourist traffic has been largely diverted during the past three years to Wellington by reason of the inferiority of the services via this port. All this we have a.lre-ady oil more than one occasion pointed out. If, however, by reiteration the apathy of the business community in this matter can be "penetrated, our e(Torts will not have been misspent. The shipping1 companies have not even had the excuse that the extent of Auckland's trade did not warrant any special effort to secure it, for .statistics very plainly show that in volume of trade this port more than holds its own with the other chief centres.

We sincere-ly trust that the substitution of the Wa.ika.re by the JJnion Co. for such unsuitable steamers as the Talune and Waihora, previously in the service, indicates that the company are awakening- to a realisation of the widespread discontent felt here regarding- their arrangements as affecting- this end of the colony. The Waikaro Ls a modem and in every respect suitable boat, and in conjunction with the Mararoa will, as far as the Union Co. are concerned, bring the Sydney sei'vice to a, level of comfort and convenience at wlrich the most captious will hardly care to cavil. It is to be hoped that the company ■will see no reason to rcgßet their decision to cater for Aucklnnders more adequately, and that the placing of the AVaikare in the Sydney and Auckland running is the commencement of a more satisfactory era for this port.