A SHIPPING PIONEER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 20, 24 January 1936, Page 6

A SHIPPING PIONEER.

The name of Sir James Mills, whose death is announced to-day, is inseparably associated with the rise and progress of the Union Steam Ship Company and the Dominion itself. He was from 1869 manager of the Harbour Steam Company in Dunedin, until in 1875 it was merged into the newlv-formed Union Company, of which he, at the age of 28, became managing director. In that post he continued until 1906, when he became chairman of directors. In the days of the colony's fast growth the provision of shipping facilities was of vital importance, and it was in a considerable measure due to the initiative, enterprise and vision of Sir James Mills that the country's needs were appreciated and served. The company, then based on Dunedin, extended its operations successively to the North Island, the intercolonial trade, the Pacific Islands and the Pacific Coast, and its services speedily became indispensable to the welfare of the colony. Its rapid growth and the efficiency of its fleet reflected the energy and acumen of its head. In a country in which the Government has long played a considerable part in economic j life the services of private enterprise, usually directed by a few men of outstanding ability, are occasionally under-valued. But such men do much to make production profitable, to widen the field of employment, and by their example to stimulate the enterprise of their e lows. Sir James Mills was an outstanding example of the value of leadership, and the ommion, in ; re g re t t in g h j s w iH p a y -• u ._ bi§ character, snd achievements.