NORFOLK'S VALUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 222, 19 September 1929, Page 24

NORFOLK'S VALUE.

TRADERS' STRONG PLEA. PERMANENT SERVICE NEEDED FACTOR IN TRADE BALANCE. Something substantial has been done hy the Norfolk Island trade to reduce the adverse balance of New Zealand's trade relations with Australia. So valuable is the trade with the Island becoming to Auckland that the executive of the Chamber of Commerce recommended the council of the chamber this afternoon to spare no effort to secure the retention of the service run by the Maui I'oinare. Prominent Auckland merchants protested, in letters to the chamber, against the possible withdrawal of the vessel from the Norfolk Island trade, and her concentration on the Nine Island and Samoan trade. No fewer than fifteen letters of protest were before the meeting. Four years sufficed to bring about a change in the whole attitude of Auckland traders towards Norfolk Island. In 1924 the imports and exports were unimportant. They have increased at a surprising rate, according to information placed before this afternoon's meeting. For the year ended March 31, 1926, the imports from New Zealand were valued at £1370, and from Australia £17,369. Two years later they were:— From New Zealand, £15,140; from Australia, £27,464. The island's exports to Australia rose in the same period from £4478 in value to £15,231; and to New Zealand from £1464 to £3836. Tourist traffic with Auckland increased at the same time to an extent that made the Maui Pomare's accommodation inadequate, and passengers were being booked up far in advance of each voyage. Norfolk Island was first supplied with a steamer service in 1924, it was stated during the discussion. Dr. E. P. Neale, secretary, submitted reports showing that the Hinemoa was first run to Norfolk Island to keep the steamer engaged during the intervals between her voyages to Nine. Several Auckland fruit merchants chartered freight at a figure that would guarantee the cost of an experimental voyage in 1925. The trade promised well, and had since developed annually, as indicated from the following table: — Cargo Cargo Outwards. Inwards. Tons. Cases. Passengers. 1025-20 32 210f> 01 1 02M-27 111 252S 551 1027-2S 608 31S0 531 1028-20 OSI 4504 606 Planters on the island had come to value Auckland as a market for their fresh fruit and early vegetables, and they viewed with concern the suggestion that Norfolk should be eliminated . from the Maui Pomare's running, it was stated, in order to enable the vessel to be concentrated entirely on the Niue and Samoan trade, making calls at all the principal Southern ports on each voyage. A considerable export trade ; from Auckland to Norfolk Islai\d had also been built up, and the exports exceeded by a substantial margin New Zealand's imports from the island.