TASMAN SERVICE Lyttelton Included; Surcharge Imposed

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31830, 7 November 1968, Page 9

TASMAN SERVICE Lyttelton Included; Surcharge Imposed

An announcement by the Union Steam Ship Company, Ltd, yesterday, that it would include Lyttelton as a port of call for the Maheno roll-on service between New Zealand and Sydney was greeted with mixed feelings by the Lvttelton Harbour Board.

There was appreciation that the South Island would be on the timetable, disappointment and protest that a “nominal” additional freight charge would be imposed on Lyttelton and Dunedin cargoes. If the potential growth of exports from the South Island to Australia materialised there was full justification for that growth to be encouraged and tested by the provision, at least in the early stages by a direct service, the company wrote. It did not expect that the extension could be achieved without the company incurring additional costs, and it did not subscribe to the view that there should be an equalisation of shipping freight charges.

it did not seem practicable at this stage to include a direct call at Lyttelton for the second vessel that would be in the trans-Tasman rollon service next June in the Melbourne-New Zealand service, but in the company’s forward planning there would be more developments of the roll-on service and by a transhipment link with the ■Tasman vessels there would be an answer to the demand for regular timetable trips The company had decided that in the meantime from the time the Maheno came on the service it would be timetabled to include a direct call at Lyttelton for each of its voyages in the Sydney service. Forward planning was directed towards greater utilisation of the special shore terminals already provided and with the full support of New Zealand importers and exporters it foresaw trade expansion that would be serviced within the limit of economic operations by additional sophisticated roll-on, roll-off vessels and matching shore facilities. Inquiries had been made for a new vessel to be delivered early in 1970. It was expected that it would be similar to the Hawea, although faster, and would be used on the New Zealand coast. “This shows that our deputation to the company achieved something, and it will mean a lowering of costs to our shippers and put them on a reasonable basis with the North Island,” said the board's chairman (Mr L. G. Amos). “It is the best news we have heard for a long time."

A. J. Sowden) replied that this was something which could be discussed with Union Company officials who would be visiting Lyttelton today. Mr J. Brand questioned the loading on South Island cargo, and said rates for the North and South Islands should be comparable. Mr Amos: 1 am thankful for small mercies. The company had dealt with only part of the submissions of a South Island deputation, Mr J. K. Dobson said. Traditional shipping did not bear any penalty out of Lyttelton The deputation bad laid particular stress on the need for an economic service to Australia as well as a cargo service. “1 am not prepared to run away with enthusiasm if this is going to cost us more money,” he said. “South Island manufacturers and exporters have to compete with the North Island as well as other parts of the world for Australian trade, and I fail to see how when traditional services can operate at the same rate out of three ports there should be a loading on a roll-on service. “We should not accept with great enthusiam only part of the cake we asked for.” In acknowledging the cargo service with thanks, the board should ask for further consideration of the economic side and for an explanation why it was thought necessary to load the South Island, Mr Dobson said. Manufacturers would be disappointed if the board did not insist on that. Sir George Manning, who earlier proposed a letter of thanks to the company, agreed to add disappointment at the extra charge, and this was adopted by the board as a reply to the company.

Mr W. B. Laing said the board might have to consider providing another linkspan, and the general manager (Mr