TRADE WITH NORFOLK.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 223, 20 September 1929, Page 5

TRADE WITH NORFOLK.

WITHDRAWAL OF SERVICE.

GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSAL,

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PROTEST.

Fears that Auckland's trade with Norfolk Island, which has become important since the Hinemoa started running several years ago, would be entirely lost, were expressed at a meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce yesterday, when the Government's proposal to withdraw the motor shiji Maui Pomare from the service was severely criticised.

Letters opposing the proposal were received from seventeen firms and strong exception was taken to the fact that it was proposed that Auckland should be deprived of trade with the island for the benefit of commercial relations between Niue Island and Samoa and southern ports. It was stated by Mr. J. B. Grove that in asking the _ Government to retain the Norfolk Island service, the chamber was in no way upholding the Government's shipping service. Auckland would get no benefit from the intention of making more frequent trips between Samoa and southern ports in the Dominion. The only way in which Auckland was being served from Samoa and Niue was in export. "We can export to Samoa," said Mr. Grove, ''but they will not bring cargo from there to Auckland under any consideration." Quotations of figures of the trade between New Zealand and the islands, given.by Mr. Grove, and the secretary, Dr. E. P. Neale, showed a profit on that between Auckland and Norfolk, and a loss on that between Niue and Samoa and southern ports. "It is quite true that they will not carry a shipment of fruit to Auckland from Samoa and Niue," said Mr. Grove in reply to Mr. J. A. C. Allum. "They will take it only to an 'unknown destination.' It is impossible to ship to any particular port in New Zealand from either Samoa or Nine, and on no consideration at all is it possible to ship to Auckland."

Only twice had cargo from either of these places been landed in Auckland, said Mr. Harvey Turner. One of these was when the vessel's machinery broke down and the cargo had to be put out at Auckland for safety. (Laughter.)

Figures showing the increases in the value of exports from Norfolk Island to Australia and to New Zealand, and of the imports by the island from both countries, were given by Mr. Turner.

The secretary said it had been arranged that evidence regarding the Maui Pomare's running would be heard by a Government committee in Wellington on Tuesday.

"We have been hit quite enough as it is by the Maui Pomare, without suffering any more," said the chairman, Mr. H.° T; Merritt.

It Was decided to write to the firms connected with the island trade, stating that the chamber would take up the matter. A deputation i 6 also to be sent to Wellington.