SYDNEY-NEW ZEALAND STEAMERS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 112, 13 May 1911, Page 3

SYDNEY-NEW ZEALAND STEAMERS.

IMPROVEMENT WANTED. DISCUSSION IN AUCKLAND. [BY TELEGBAPH — VRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, 12th, May. The subject o£ s, throe-days' eervice between Auckland and Sydney was discussed by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce this afternoon. The president (Mr. Leo Myers) said the Cham/ber of Commerce had not the slightest desire to regard the matter from a- provincial standpoint. It was pnrely a national matter that passenger and other communication with. Sydney should be made as fast as possible, and in a way commensurate with the progress of the Dominion. It' the cost, as Sir James Mills had pointed out, wae such that the 1 company could not see their way, as business men, to put faster vessels on the run ; the least they could do was to suggest what subsidy would bo required to enable the improvement to be made. Aa business men, the Auckland Chamber and the Wellington Chamber and any other Chamber of Commerce would be agreeable to- recommend a reasonable subsidy for tho union or any other company to bring about a three days' service. They could not expect luxuries without paying for them. He was unable to discuss the cost of running fast steamers, but if the company had a good case, it was their duty to put it forward, and a just claim would receive support. He moved : "That, whilst this Chamber recognises the enterprise of the Union Company during the past twentyfive years, this council is of opinion that the period has arrived when the time' occupied by mail steamers between Sydney and Auckland Ehould not exceed three days." Mr. Gaudin said that the Island steamers also needed speeding up. Their cargoes often arrived spoiled, and on the last visit of the Tahiti© 2000 cases of 'oranges had to be taken away and dumped overboard. The president said the chamber had better devote itself to one thing at a time. After some further discussion the president's motion was carried. Mr. Gunson moved : — "That the P. and 0. Company be requested to advise this chamber whether they can favourably consider the question of providing a weekly three-days' steam service between Auckland and Sydney." This would, he said, let the Union S.S. Company see that they were not the only fish, in the pond. (Applause.) Mr. B. Kent seconded 'the motion. Mr. Elliott said there was not the slightest possible chance of the P. and 0. Company acceding to the request, and, in his opinion, such a motion ehould not be passed upon the spur of the moment, for it was too serious a, matter. The president thought there was a good deal in what Mr. Elliott said, but there > would be no harm in asking the question. Mr. Gunson, in reply, said he was sorry the adverse views expressed had been taken. Ha looked upon it as purely a business question, and if they could get more satisfaction from another company than they received from the Union Steam Ship Company they should accept it. He admitted that the Union Company had done great service to New Zealand, but it was a business

company,, and had done well by its trade with the Dominion, He beljw»«d the P. and 0. Company would consELer this matter, for it was not a question of extending their service to Aucklandas Mr. Elliott seemed to think. It was it matter of putting on special ferry, steamers to run across the Tasman Sea, and that vessel would not go Home at all. If one company would not funristt such ft boat and another would, why should the Chamber of Commerce turn such an offer down? The motion was then put, and'-aego* tived on the voices.