CHANGE OF PORTS

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 128, 2 June 1938, Page 8

CHANGE OF PORTS

NOT AUTHORISED.

BY CENTENNIAL COMPANY.

MATSON NEGOTIATIONS. Refuting a suggestion that Mr. R. H. Ximmo, of Wellington, was acting in behalf of the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition Company in hie efforts to interest the Matson Company in San Francieco in Wellington as a port of call for its ships, the directors of the Centennial Company have advised the Auckland Chamber of Commerce that Mr. Ximmo had no authority to make such representations in its behalf.

The only information received in Auckland from the principals of the Matson Company, San Francisco, was that the representations made by Wellington interests were for the temporary diversion of the ships to the southern port for the duration of the centennial exhibition. In Auckland it is felt that Matson's granting that concession would place this city in danger of losing the American link altogether.

Definite Information Wanted. The president of the Auckland chamber, Mr. A. Ely, last week wrote to the exhibition authorities stating that according to a Press report Mi-. Nimmo had been acting an a member of the exhibition's board of directors in refer- , enee to the proposed transfer of ports of call by the Matson Company.

"We are fully conscious that this matter is largely one of financial interest to the company concerned," he wrote, "but the definite information we want is as to whether Mr. on your authority (which the interview implied). because, if so, my executive wishes to point out very definitely that- mich action is not in the best interests of the Centenary Exhibition. It hardly needs to be stressed. I am sure, that such action by Mr. Nhnmo—creating as it must controversy between our two cities—must be detrimental to*the wholehearted support of the exhibition."

Mr. Ely «dded that on receipt of a reply it would be decided if it were necessary to take further steps to protect Auckland's interests. The reply from the secretary of the Centennial Exhibition stated that the matter had been placed before the directors. "I have been directed to inform you." he said, "that Mr. Xinimo is travelling on his own private business, and as a director of this company was authorised by the board to carry out certain negotiations on its behalf, but ho had no authority to make any negotiations with the Matson Navigation Company." Proposal Overruled. When the question of the proposed change of Matson liner ports from Auckland to Wellington was brought up again, a proposal to refer the position to the shipping agents in Auckland, who would lie asked to cable their principal*, was over-ruled.

Mr. ,T. B. Donald suggested that the president of the council shrnild confer with the chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board first. He said that the position might then become clearer. If necessary, atcion could then be taken.