PRIVATE ENTERPRISE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 260, 2 November 1932, Page 9

PRIVATE ENTERPRISE.

ISLAND SHIPPING SERVICE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFER. FUTURE OF MAUI POMARE. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The desire of the Government to dispose of the Maui Pomare as soon as private enterprise is prepared to undertake the Island shipping service was emphasised by the Prime Minister in the House last night.

Mr. Forbes said there were commitments connected with the vessel which could not be broken. "We realise," he added, "that as far as running a steamer service is concerned, it is better to leave it to private enterprise, provided private enterprise is willing to take it on. The question of the disposal of the Maui Pomare, as recommended by the commission, is being kept in view, and when we can make satisfactory arrangements for private enterprise to carry on the island trade we will be. pleased to do so. If we can make such an arrangement for private enterprise to carry on our Samoan trade, it would be the wise thing to do.

Mr. P. Fraser (Labour, Wellington Central): If the Government cannot run a steamer, how can it run the country?

Mr. Forbes referred , the member to Australia and its experiments with a State shipping service, and said it was better for the Government to keep out of the steamer trade. As far as' the Sarnoan trade was concerned, as soon as satisfactory arrangements could be made the Government would be glad to get out of the business.

Referring to another of the commission's recommendations, Mr. Forbes said that Niue had now been taken over by the External Affairs Department, and substantial reductions had been made in the expenditure. The commission had suggested the amalgamation of the Cook Islands and the External Affairs Xtepartmenta. . •