ROLL- ON FERRY

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31112, 15 July 1966, Page 1

ROLL- ON FERRY

i Govts. Have Cold Feet 9

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 14. The governments of New Zealand and Australia were today accused by the Merchant Service Guild of having “cold feet” in the introduction of a rollon vessel for the trans-Tasman passenger service.

The general secretary of the guild (Captain J. W. Dickinson) said in his annual report that “if such a ship is to be an economic success, the Government must act new, or abandon the project altogether. “During the last 12 months there has been considerable publicity on the need for a ship. But we are no nearer to having it than we were a year ago.” he said. “The Governments of New Zealand and Australia appear to have ‘cold feet’ over this issue and we venture to suggest that unless positive action is taken in the near future to build a ship, air transport, which is increasing in eciency will become the accepted mode of transport for the average citizen. “No amount of enticing will lure him away from cheap

travel in a comfortable aircraft." Captain Dickinson also said that “shipowners will have to convert their thinking to rollon, roll-off and container ships for the New Zealand coastal trade, if they are to stay in business. “The conventional ship can no longer be regarded as an efficient unit and is in fact, becoming Tess efficient year by year, because of relatively high unproductive periods when the vessel is not earning money for its owner." Further roll-on ships would be operating round the coast within the next two years and it must be accepted that more would be ordered, he said. The conventional vessel stood little hope of competing with her modern sister. “Our outlook, therefore, must be towards these vessels which will mean quicker turn-rounds, and the necessity to arrange roster systems to ensure our members are relieved at regular intervals,” said Captain Dickinson.