Shipping to Chatham Islands

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28973, 14 August 1959, Page 10

Shipping to Chatham Islands

New Zealand’s responsibility for promoting the welfare of those remote outposts, the Chatham Islands, seems seldom to have been accepted as seriously as it should be. The protest by Mr M. P. Searle, a Chatham Islands storekeeper, about the infrequency of shipping is the latest in a long series of complaints. For New Zealand and their own residents, the Chathams pose tremendous problems; but these problems should not be dismissed as insuperable. In his statement to “ The Press ”, Mr Searle has outlined the straits to which, he claims, the islanders are put by the uncertainty of essential supplies and transport for their livestock. On some important points, he is at variance with Captain J. F. Holm, spokesman for the company whose ships ordinarily run to the islands. According to the Minister of Island Territories (Mr Mathison), the Government is “ aware of ” the islanders’ problems; and a Cabinet subcommittee is investigating. This is rather cold comfort for the islanders if matters are as bad as Mr Searle contends. Mr Searle’s protest merits closer inquiry so that urgent action can be taken to alleviate any distress.

The latest report of the Department of Island Territories says blandly that “de- “ velopment of the Chatham

“ Islands has in the past been retarded because of

“ their isolation ”. In the foreseeable future the 500 islanders must rely upon shipping for most supplies from the mainland, and for their export trade. A flying-boat calls at the islands each month to transport passengers. In addition, chartered landplane trips have been made to a privately-owned airstrip during the summer months. Until a suitable permanent airstrip is provided, an efficient, regular service with landplanes cannot be introduced. The islands carry about 127,000 sheep, 5000 run cattle. 100 dairy cows, and 400 horses. According to the Department of Island Territories, cattle are sent to the mainland only when “it can be expected that costs “of shipping, at least, will be “ covered ”. The department’s report says that “the price of' “ sheep fell sharply in the latter i “part of the [1958-59] year! “ and made it uneconomic to “ ship them to the mainland ”. Nevertheless, in 1958-59 the islands exported 15,756 sheep, 310 cattle, and 3030 bales of wool, compared with 5940 sheep, 113 cattle, and 1814 bales of wool in the previous year. The islands already have a land-based fish freezer at Owenga; and the Department of Agriculture has been investigating the possibility of establishing a meat freezer. But industrial development will continue to be hampered while the shipping service is inadequate.

No reasonable person will

dispute Captain Holm’s contention that his company should not be expected to carry the burden of an uneconomic service. He recalls that, during the last 100 years, almost all the New Zealand shipping companies have attempted unsuccessfully to make the Chathams trade pay. Yet, if the islands are to progress and contribute to increased production throughout New Zealand territory, they need a regular, reliable shipping service, the costs of which will not check the expansion of suitable industries. Moreover. ■ since 1936 the Chatham Islands i County Council has derived its . revenue from export and import dues; and the provision of public amenities is thus linked with the shipping trade. Twenty years ago the trade was subsidised by the Government. Captain Holm justifiably says his company can operate its service “ on a paying basis, or “ not at all ”. To put the islands’ economy on a sounder basis and improve social conditions, the Government may be forced to consider reintroducing a subsidy. This isolated community obviously has a stronger claim to such assistance than most of the mainland areas which are, in effect, subsidised by uneconomic railway lines.