TRIALS OF TRANSHIPMENT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 25, 24 October 1907, Page 2

TRIALS OF TRANSHIPMENT.

AUCKLANDERS UNEASY. WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE WITH WELLINGTON. The agitation for 'direct butter shipments, from 'Auckland to England continues to disturb Aucklanders. N ' In the course of nil article urging need for direct butter -boats from .Auckland (says our Auckland correspondent), the " Herald sa y s that at present tho facilities are far from adequate, and the results are working 'out against one. of the most important industries, of the province. The new railway wharr 19' approaching completion, and it will shortly bo possible for Home boats; to berth almost alongsido . tho ' grading, storos and cool chambers': Yet under tho present .system butter will-bo taken away from a stone's throw of the. vessels, out to Onehunga, loaded, and , transhipped , under conditions, that 110 butter , in the world could be expected to successfully withstand. In comparison with otlier ports, the butter exported from" Auckland is receiving 'the worst treatment of all.

Exporters speak.■ ~. :....'.''.:■..'.',.!,',...:1 ; . To back its argument the':views-of some, exporters have been obtained. Said one:,. A direct •"service will be' an absolute necessity in tho near future, if Auckland' is; ever to bocomo.the great butt6r-producmg province it gives every promiso .of being. ; , Auckland has the land and the climate," he .went .on, " to enable it to send out half as much buttor again as Taranaki,. now the■ premier dairying district; and tho industry in Auckland is increasing .so rapidly—look at-tho enormous increaso last year—that at the.present rate it; will only be .another few years betore Auckland will'be regarding tho butter industry as its.greatest asset. Wo must hayo a direct service sooner' or later, and : tno. sooner tho better." ' •■■., ..■■•- •,;■■ -. Ambitiousl ■' ,■■'.. , " ' "Of course, tho shipping companies very naturally argue" (continues th* exporter) " that Auckland by itself has not the freight to warrant a direct service., That, might.be. auito'true, but this is now.the.premier port. Tho provincial district is' progressing by leaps and'bounds, trade is increasing-at a. lous rate, and this should: undoubtedly bo the port .of- departure for biltter boats.- The vessels could pick m>. Welling- : ton's cargo, and then como onto the greatest exporting district,.in .the-:..Domimon^-Aiiok :: land • It, is only a question of a short.,timo when this port will collect tho exports horn ■three-parts ■ of tho..North Uand, and_- tho shipping.companies would find that tho trade ■would-bo horo if-this wero mado the port ■of-departure; and if they can'.t ; see their way to .try it, I hbpo. thoro ,aro other, shipping, .■companies which will comq.m and, l catpr ; ior, ' the Northern trndo." , ■ ",'!•,'■ ".-i" . Another exporter declared that, wero Auck-. ■land tho. port of departure, both the frozen, meat and tho dairying industry would receive Vn iinmenso impetus., ";Moreovor, he added, " Wellington butter could, bo brought more cheaply-.to Auckland than.Auckland.bute-is, taken "to Wellington, .because the .saftthern, butter, would como via tho .Last.Loast.direct;.! The Taranaki buttor is the drawback. Were. Taranaki whoro Hawko's:l3ay is, tbore would, bo no difficulty whatever. Of • courso, as a, buttor-oxporting provinco, Auckland is ahead of tWellington, and. next ..to. whontho country .is really .opened; .up. thoro will bo moro dairying'hore than in laranaki.

Alternative Portsof .Departure. ' ;. , / , ; A' : third" party interviewed " expressed.' the' opinion that until all Home boats depart iroin Aucldaiid'there , should 'bo alternative; depai--iures' froni' Auckland 'and' Wellington, givingea'ch'port a montlily'doparturo. ■'■ ■■ ''■■(•■" ■