Opposing Views On Shipping Ownership

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31676, 11 May 1968, Page 23

Opposing Views On Shipping Ownership

It is not the Government’s policy to Interfere or enter Into competition with shipping services which are satisfactorily run by private enterprise, says the Minister of Marine (Mr Scott). New Zealand should have its own shipping line, and under a Labour government a shipping corporation would be established to bring this about, says the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk). Mr Scott and Mr Kirk were commenting on a letter to the editor of “The Press” from “Sans Politics,” who asked whether it would not be good business to save a large amount of overseas funds by insisting on a New Zealandowned or at least a New Zea-land-registered replacement for the Wahine. "The success of the Wellington-Picton ferry service is a case in point,” the correspondent wrote. “Also, it is a Government duty to insist that full life insurance, plus adequate car and comprehensive cover be made law, with no ifs and buts In fine print, on all coastal shipping. "The Lyttelton-Wellington ferry' service should be part of the railway service, just as the Cook Strait service is. I think there has long been a good opening for a Lyttelton-Napier-Auckland ferry service taking two nights and one day. This would cut out that awful day or night-long, cramped, dusty, uncomfortable Main Trunk trip and would cater for passengers, cars, light freight and secondclass mails. The two nights at sea save hotel bills, taxis, etc., and mean cheaper and more pleasant travelling.” Mr Seott’a Reply Any replacement for the Wahine would be expected to be owned and operated by the Union Steam Ship Company, which was a New Zealandincorporated company and which had all Its New Zealand fleet manned, serviced and repaired by New Zealanders, Mr Scott replied. With two exceptions, all its vessels sailing

from New Zealand ports were registered in New Zealand and the two carrying United Kingdom registry contributed to the employment of New Zealander* in the same way as did its other vessels. Insurance did not come strictly within the area of his portfolio, the Minister said, but it appeared that compulsory comprehensive insurance as suggested would place many persons whose property or lives were already Insured in the position of having two Insurer* on a single risk, with a corresponding increase of premium. "Your reader’s suggestion for a Lyttelton-Auckland passengers service would, I suggest, prove uneconomic in this day of air travel, although, of course, a freight service has recently been introduced by the Union Company operating a regular time-table between Auckland, Lyttelton and Dunedin," Mr Scott added. Mr Kirk’s View*

Mr Kirk said the letter was so eminently fair that it was hard to understand why its author chose to remain anonymous.

After saying that the Labour policy was to have a shipping corporation, he said that although the initial interest was In servicing overseas trade, obviously coastal services could, where necessary, also be supplemented by corporation vessels. ‘The Aramoana was ordered to be built by the second Labour Government,” Mr Kirk said. "It is a rail ferry, but only for cargo, since passengers cannot conveniently go by either train or rail-car and connect with the rail ferries. I would like to see the rail ferries work in conjunction with rail time-tables so that passengers by road and rail could enjoy this service. “How well a LytteltonNapier - Auckland service might be patronised is a matter for present speculation and future inquiry. But if such a service was economic, a good case could be made out for its introduction,”