THE MAUI POMARE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20026, 6 September 1930, Page 3

THE MAUI POMARE.

RUNNING TO BE RESUMED NEXT MONTH. ANNUAL LOSS ANTICIPATED. [THE PRESS Bp«cUl Sarrlce.] WELLINGTON, September 5. It is proposed to resume the running, of the Government motor-ship Maui Pomare in the Cook Islands-New Zealand fruit trade next month, according to a statement made by the Minister for Native Affairs. (Sir Apirana Ngata) during the discussion on the Cook Island Estimates in the Housb of Representatives to-day. "It is no good crying over spilt milk so far as the Maui Pomare is concerned," the Minister said. "The ship was found to be not so well constructed as she might have been, and we have had to pay for reconditioning her. There is B, r decision on record that this ship is for the convenience of New Zealand and for that convenience we have to lose so mucli money each year. No one port will give up the service of the Maui Pomare. Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin want her, and m order that all these places shall have her we have to lose a few thousands of pounds a year. That must be perfectly understood by Parliament and by the people of New Zealand, and 1 do not know whether it is _ a wrong policy. If wo were to subsidise private enterprise *1 think we would pay far more than the amount on the Estimates. I hope when the, ship resumes she will have a good run. She has not had one so far." Consolidated Fund Pays. Sir Apirana said it mad© little difference whether the cost of the vessel: were charged to the Cook Islands account or to that of Western Samoa. It was all charged to the Consolidated Fund in the long run. Personally, he added, amid laughter, he would rather it were charged to the Department ot the Minister for External Affairs, although the only real difference would be that the blackguarding would be transferred from one -Departmental chief .to-another. - . ;Mr -E J.- Howard (Lab.,. Christchurch South) considered- it- was unfair to ask the Cook Islands to carry the losses on the. Maui Pomare. "Why should 'a certam. amount not be chftxged against Samoa? Was it to make the Samoan accounts look better on paper when the report was forwarded to the Mandates Commissid

of the League of Nations at Geneva? The juggling of the accounts, in his opinion, was not fair. Mr J. S. Fletcher (Ind., Grey Lynn) also asked why tbo Maui Pomare losses should be charged up against the Cook Islands. Sir Apirana Ngata: Th c y. are charged to the Consolidated Fund. Mr F. Waite (R. Clutha) said itappeared that some influence was at work to make capital out of the _ Maui Pomare. When fruit arrived in an unsatisfactory condition jn other vessels one aid not see the columns in the newspapers that appeared in the case of the Maui Pomare.