THE ISLAND TRADE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 334, 22 October 1908, Page 5

THE ISLAND TRADE.

SUBSIDY FOR A WELLINGTON SERVICE. AUCKLAND UP IN ARMS. (DS TfljEGßil'll—rßESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, October 21. Auckland merchants who_ aro interested in the Island trado aro up in arms against tho Government's proposal to grant a subsidy for a mail servico between Wellington and Raratonga, Papeete, and Tahiti. The vote of £7000 which appeared oil the supplementary estimates on tho closing day of the lat'o session appeared to havo escaped tho attention of tho Auckland members, and representations aro now being made to tho Government protesting against the proposed subsidy towards a Wellington service. A number of the merchants have expressed their views to a press representative. "It means a very serious thing to Auckland merchants," declared Mr. G. Kronfeld, whose firm deals, extensively with Tahiti and tho Islands. "That Wellington should receive a £7000 subsidy is distinctly unfair, and if Wellington merchants had a stroke of onergy in them they would not want enter into a competition with a trade which Auckland merchants have built up. They would have shown a more enterprising spirit if they had devoted their attention to building up trade with new and more suitable places, such as New Caledonia or the.New Hebrides. The Island trade belongs to Auckland if for no other reason than Auckland's geographical position. However," he concluded, "even with the tremendous advantage of such a subsidy I am confident that Auckland will bo able to more _ than hold its own, and it will be surprising if the Wellington servico can bo made to pay its way." • "I am disgusted with the whole affair, declared Mr. A. Tooman, who is also largely interested in tho Island fruit trade. "If there was any need for a direct service with Wellington there could bo no serious objection, but that need does not exist. If the only ports of call are to bo Raratonga and Papeete, tho servico will never pay in the long run. It is probable that they will be compelled to take in some of the other islands. At tho samo time I am satisfied Auckland has nothing to fear from tho competition likely to arise even in the Cook Islands. The Auckland merchants are too firmly established tp suffer from competition, and altogether tho Wellington servico is not likely to prove a success from a financial or any other point of view." Another merchant expressed tho opinion that any alteration should have been m the direction of having a fortnightly instead of a monthly boat to Auckland, with arrangements for vessels to sail for Wellington after arrival here. Tho advantage in point of steaming time in favour of Auckland as against Wellington is stated as three , days, and it is urged that now that the Main Trunk railway is completed, there is still less reason for subsidising a mail service via Wellington.