ITINERARY OF ISLANDS FRUIT STEAMER

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 17, 14 October 1927, Page 10

ITINERARY OF ISLANDS FRUIT STEAMER

DISSATISFACTION IN DUNEDIN

Dominion Special Service.

Dunedin, October 13.

The South Island is not resting content with the itinerary which has been laid down for the new island fruit steamer. When the Prime Minister was in Dunedin, in the early part of the year, representations were made to him by a united deputation from the Chamber of Commerce, the Otago Expansion League, Ihe Manufacturers’ Association, the Shippers and Importers’ Association, and the fruit brokers, which urged that Dunedin should be included in the ports of call. Mr. Coates promised that the itinerary would be considered by a Parliamentary committee which he proposed to set up during the session. When the order of reference for this committee came to hand, nowever, it was found that the question of the island fruit steamer was not included. The committee, at Mr. Sidey’s instance, passed a resolution asking for its inclusion, and action is being taken by the bodies mentioned above to support what Mr. Sidey has done. Messages have been sent to the Prime Minister Expressing regret that the question of the steamer’s itinerary is not included in the order of reference, and requests have been made to the sister leagues in Southland and Canterbury, and also to the South Island members of Parliament, for their co-operation. The Southland league has expressed its surprise at the withdrawal of the question from the committee, and its hearty support of the representations now being made. It lias also decided to ask the Southland members of Parliament to support Mr. Sidey. The Canterbury Progress League has given an assurance cf its whole-hearted support in the matter, which is to be taken up with the provincial members of Parliament immediately.