NEGLECTED AUCKLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 48, 26 February 1901, Page 4

NEGLECTED AUCKLAND.

Our merchants complain bitterly, and not without cause, of the manner in which their interests are placed second to those of Southern cities. An excellent example of this neglect of Auckland is to be found

in the paucity of steamers of the S.S. and A., and N.Z. Shipping- Companies, which visit this port. In the absence of regular direct steam services importers' English agents are compelled frequently to resort to shipping via Wellington. This of course is slightly more expensive, but if it. were satisfactory in other respects we would not hear much complaint. However, it is distinctly notsatisfactory. Tiresome, and, in many cases, expensive delays occur. We have had two illustrations of this during the past few days. Both the IJuni.shire and the Karamea had large consignments for Auckland. The cargo of the former came dribbling in by three or four coastal boats, not only putting the consignees to infinite trouble to ascertain when their particular packages were available, but also causing unexpected and annoying delay. It is difficult lo say exactly with whom rests the bljaine. If the much vaunted shipping facilities of Wellington do not fall woefully short of what is loudly claimed for them, the loss of time should not occur in the discharge of the direct liner. It must therefore be in the arrangements for transhipment that the delay occurs. In the ease of the Karamea this was largely the case. After a portion of the cargo had arrived much of the remainder, which was to come forward by the Waikare, was shut out of that vessel. The result is merchants who were importing by the Karamea to expedite delivery have iv many cases been penalised more than a week. Present arrangements are exasperating nnd unbusinesslike, and it behoves our Chamber of Commerce to institute tin investigation into the question of why Auckland is so seriously handicapped in the matter of oversett trade. Until merchants combine to demand a remedy we may rest assured that the state of affairs will not improve; indeed it is more likely to go from bad to worse. A combination to demand belter facilities would quickly have its effect.