More First Calls At Lyttelton Sought

Press, Volume C, Issue 29468, 21 March 1961, Page 14

More First Calls At Lyttelton Sought

“This goes back to the domination of New Zealand by the Conference Lines, doesn’t it?” asked Mr A. R. Cutler, when the council of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association last evening discussed a complaint that Lyttelton was not given an adequate allocation as a first port of call by ships bringing goods from the United Kingdom.

The council agreed that, if an investigation warranted it, a meeting of protest, to be attended by South Island members of Parliament, should be called. Only five ships in nine months, of 86 ships scheduled to sail from the United Kingdom by December, were due to make Lyttelton the first port of call, said Mr C. H. Stockbridge. Clothing manufacturers were particularly effected, as it was quite impossible jor them to get material to deliver orders in time. ' Christchurch employed 15 per cent of the factory workers in New Zealand, yet Lyttelton was to have a direct call of only five ships from Britain in the next nine months, said Mr Stockbridge. “We should have another look to see we get at least one boat a month calling at Lyttelton as its first port in New Zealand,” said Mr Stockbridge. The president (Mr J. K. Dobson): Would any member like to comment? “Only that we agree,” commented Mr L. H. Govan. “Why not force the issue by having a full-scale meeting of members of Parliament to show the difficulties facing manufacturers?” asked Mr Cutler. Mr Dobson: We will take the matter up with the shipping companies and, if we don’t get any assistance, we can move along the lines suggested by Mr Cutler.

Mr R. H. Stewart said he could see no advantage to shipping companies in making Auckland the first port of call, unless there was pressure.

Mr Cutler: We have not had a reply from the shipping companies—not a satisfactory one.

’llith 75 per eent. of ships from the United Kingdom making Auckland their first port of call, the air and railway freight services to Christchurch added to the cost of manufacturers, said Mr Govan. The development of the South Island would be retarded unless more ships called first at southern ports, said Mr A. H. Lee. He had heard North Islanders felt that the situation was unreasonable and that the first port of call of ships should be based on the number of persons employed in industry. With the protracted arrival of materials, some manufacturers had difficulty in meeting orders. It would not take long to produce an agenda which, would keep members of Parliament busy for a while, said Mr Cutler. Mr Dobson: It would certainly keep the Government up-to-date with’the problem. “The question of the Cook Strait power cable has raised the backs of South Islanders and now is the time to take appropriate action,” said Mr Cutler.