DIRECT TRADE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20076, 4 November 1930, Page 16

DIRECT TRADE.

DOMINION AND JAPAN. SERVICE INAUGURATED. [THE PRESS Special Servic«.J WELLINGTON, November 3. The inauguration of the direct shipping service between New Zealand and Japan, was marked by a pleasant gathering on board the motor-ship Brisbane iMaru, when Captain It. and /his officers entertained a large party (representative of Wellington merean ft?]e and shipping interests. After inspecting the ship, whose up-to-date appointments "were the subject of much favourable comment, the guests assembled in the ship's saloon, where 1 hey "were entertained with traditional Japanese hospitality. The Mayor of Wellington (Mr G. A. Troup), in proposing the toast of Osaka Shoseii Kaisha Company, Ltd., which had sent the ship to. New Zealand, said it was one of the outstanding shipping companies of the world. He was glad to welcome the master and officers of the Brisbane ilaru, which was one of the ships selected to make regular vovases to New Zealand in a monthIv cargo service. Japan took approximately £.500,000 worth of goods annually from New Zealand, which imported, roughly, the same value of Japanese goods. Their present trade, however, was nothing to compare with niiat he hoped to see in the future. Captain K. Yamandi, master of the Brisbane Maru, in welcoming his guests, said the attendance of so many leading citizens was sincerely appreciated. It had been possible to arrange a direct service between New Zealand and Japan only by replacing the steamers on the Australian service with three modern fast motor-ship 3 of the Brisbane Maru type. His owners had every confidence in the possibilities of New Zealand trade. Mr J. W. McEwan, chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board, in offering a welcome to the Brisbane Maru, said the Board's attitude to ships was "let them all come." They had a splendid harbour and appliances and facilities that were second to none south of the jline. Competition was the best possible means of getting a square deal in t.iade. Wellington handled well oyer one-quarter of the present trade with Japan, and it had every reason to be (gratified with the inauguration of the direct service. MflW. Wallis, agent for the company, isaid the inauguration of the direct service had followed quickly after the ■company's principals had come to Kealand to investigate trade possibilities. It would be a most expensive {business from the owners' point of view if or the present; nevertheless, they had iso much faith in its prospects that it was to be hoped that as succeeding rships came along plenty of cargo would be offered. Mr J. Watanabe, Australian represeniive of the company, in responding, said they would appreciate the fact that the extension of the direct service to "New Zealand would give shippers and consignees a much-needed- facility In their trade with Japan. Hitherto tile disadvantages of transhipment had retarded tra,de.