TAKEN FOR TRANSPORTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 16, 19 January 1916, Page 6

TAKEN FOR TRANSPORTS.

' TWO INTEB-COLONIAL BOATS. ABNORMAL EFFECT ON FREIGHTS.^ The taking of the Huddart-Parker steamer Ulimaroa for transport purposes and the probable taking of another Union Company steamer are announced in a Press Association wire from Wellington. A reporter mentioned the matter to the Mayor (Mr J. H.'Gunson) this morning. "There ie no question at all," said the Mayor, "that the difficulties connected with freight are inoreaemg. Oversea freight lias already been seriously reduced in volume, and our intercolonial trade (as everybody knows) has been very materially affected"The "withdrawal from the intercolonial trade of the two veeeete mentioned will render the position still more acute. Still, the position has to be faced. The provision of transports must claim precedence. I foaare no doubt whatever that in the matter of Home liners, particularly those with cooi storage, the utmost consideration ie being shown to the needs of the Dominion. The freights have sustained several advances 6ince the outbreak of the war, both for intercolonial and Home trading. They are consequently much above normal. c "The fortnightly service with Sydney which for some months existed in conjunction with the four-weekly sailings of the Vancouver boats must, in view of the circumstances, be accepted as reasonably sufficient, and I think that on the whole we are getting on very well in regard to passenger boats and cargo services."