MATSON LINE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 214, 10 September 1931, Page 5

MATSON LINE.

AUCKLAND BUSINESS VIEW.

RECIPROCITY PROPOSAL

AMERICAN NAVIGATION LAWS,

"It would be unwise for New Zealand, with its little population,' and its great need to extend its trade overseas, to put any bar on commerce in the shape of shipping," said Mr. A. CI. Luun at this morning's meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce regarding a suggestion made by the committee of the Associated Chambers of Commerce that the Government should be approached to put a restriction on the operation of .the Matson Line to New Zealand. The president, Mr. A. M. Seaman, presided. Mr. Lunn moved that the chamber disprove of the attitude of the Associated Chambers of Commerce in suggesting that the Prime Minister take steps to prevent the operating of the Matson Line in New Zealand waters, and urge that, as it is most desirable for this country to encourage all the commerce and ships possible, the Government should approach the Imperial Government with a suggestion that they should endeavour to get the' United States to reciprocate in their navigation laws with those of Great Britain and New Zealand. "We might point out," said Mr. Lunn, "that the Matson Line can carry passengers and cargo between Suva and Auckland without any embargo, but that the company does not carry cargo between New Zealand and Sydney. . It should be possible to adjust these differences and difficulties." Mr. A. A, Ross concurred with Mr. Lunn that it would be a great mistake to place obstacles in the way of trade. It was felt, he said, that if subsidised United States shipping were allowed to carry on without restriction, the effect on British shipping would be great. The carrying capacity of American ships was about double that of the British, and the cost of running them wa3 about double. After all the subsidies they received from the Government they were only running on a par with British ships. ) The views expressed by Mr. Ross were contradicted by Mr. D. Carter, who said that although the initial cost of American ships might be higher than that of British, the actual cost of running was less. They were so heavily subsidised that they would eventually mean the downfall of British shipping. The subsidies were not made in the shape of mail subsidies, but for 'the express purpose of promoting American shipping. The slogan in the United States was*. "Patronise American vessels." While there could be no objection to American ships trading between New Zealand and their own country, he felt it was not right that they should he able to trade be°tween British Dominions. That was the thin end of the wedge which would mean that British shipping would be forced out of trade. "It is desirable we should get as many shipping lines into New Zealand as possible," said Mr. Harvey Turner. He thought, however, that the British Government should try to get the United States to remove their embargoes and give British more freedom of the seas. "I can no more imagine British shipping being wiped out than the world o-oing off in one puff," said Mr. It is too well established, and the United States will never be able to run its ships except by enormous subsidies." Mr. Lunn's motion was carried, and it was decided to forward a copy to the Associated Chambers of Commerce as expressing/the local body's attitude.