SOUTH WESTLAND STEAMER SERVICE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14909, 6 March 1914, Page 10

SOUTH WESTLAND STEAMER SERVICE.

■ . ; STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER. (iTECrAL TO "THE _B_SS."'' WELLINGTON,. March 5. With reference to Mr G. W. Russell's letter in "The Press," on the subject of the South Westland Steamer Service, the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, who as •Miuister of Lands, is the Minister most concerned in the South Westland Steamer Service, answered some of {ho contentions raised by Mr Russell in an interview with your representative today, Mr Fisher being out of town. "The Government," said Mr Massey, "are at present paying £50 a month for the service to South Westland. The arrangement is only a temporary one, and no agreement for any term has been entered into. The Government have undertaken, subject to the approval of Parliament, to grant a subsidy of £600 per year to the South Westland Steam Ship Company, on condition that they build or acquire for the service a new 6teamer, with a carrying capacity of 100 tons or thereabouts, with accommodation for 10 passengers, and capable of carrying 45 or 50 head of cattle. Such a steamer has not been provided, but the service is being carried on temporarily by an auxiliary vessel, which seems to be doing tho work required fairly satisfactorily. But it must bo clearly understood that the Government cannot possibly continue to pay the samo subsidy to a very much smaller vessel, as would have been paid for a 100-ton vessel. Any agreement mado with the company must be subject to the approval of Parliament, which will have an opportunity «f toting tho requisite subsidy. The n;ggestcd terms of tho proposed agreement was fivo years." Mr Massey* snid ho kuew nothing of any offer of £60 a year tn Mr Park for the service which is needed. \