SHIPPING NEWS SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 16, 13 October 1927, Page 10

SHIPPING NEWS SERVICE

PROTEST AGAINST DISCONTINUANCE

WATERSIDERS’ AND SEAMEN’S VIEWS

A protest against the discontinuance by the Post and Telegraph Department of its shipping news service was made yesterday by a deputation to the Post-master-General and the Minister of Marine.

Mr. L. Glover, representing the Waterside Workers’ Federation, said the watersiders depended almost wholly upon the Post Office notice-boards for information regarding the movement of shipping upon which their livelihood depended. Mr. F. Newfield (Federated Seamen’s Union) and Mr. E. Kennedy (Cooks and Stewards’ Union) said their members, when ashore and seeking employment, looked to the Post Office shipping list. Shipping fees paid by crews signing off were a considerable item in the revenue of the Marine Department. The Postmaster-General (Hon. W. Nosworthy) said he had expected that the deputation would come with a vote of thanks for what the Postal Department had done for 30 years at a cost of between 414000 and £6OOO. The Department was asked to show a commercial balance-sheet, but could not do that if it gave something for nothing. The Marine Department said it had no money. He could not undertake to continue the service unless somebody found the money. It was a business proposition. The Minister of Marine (Hon. G. J. Anderson) was invited to speak, but declared that he was present as an obseiver. He said it appeared that there was a service, and if it was worth anything someone should pay for it. The question was whether it should be the taxpayer. Tic Postmaster-General suggested that the shipipng companies, harbour boards, or the Press might pay the cost.

“We thank you for receiving the de putt tion, but we regret we cannot thank you for anything else,” said Mr. p. Fraser (Wellington Central). "Further representations . will have to be made, because it is inconceivable that an industry employing many thousands is going to bo handicapped. Any other industry, such as the fruit industry, can get a big subsidy.” The Postmaster-General undertook to have the matter further discussed in Cabinet.