MATSON LINERS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 96, 20 October 1933, Page 11

MATSON LINERS

"UNFAIE COMPETITION"

GOVERNMENT ACTION

The competition ■of Matson liners with New Zealand and Australian ships is at prosont the subject of negotiation between tho New Zealand, Commonwealth, and Imperial Governments. This announcement was made in the House of Eepresentatives today by the- Minister of Finance (the Bt. Hon. J. G. Coates), in replying to a question addressed to him by Mr. P. Fraser (Labour, Wellington Central). / Mr. Fraser asked Mr. Coates: — 1. Whether any substantial progress has been made in negotiations with the British Government and the Australian Commonwealth Government in the matter of common action to counter unfair competition with Now Zealand shipping. 2. Whether the Government or the United States has been approached with a view to arranging, a treaty or maritime agreement which would provide for. New Zealand ships being permitted to carry passengers and goods between tho ports of Honolulu and San Francisco or other ports similarly situated in United States territory in return for the privilege now enjoyed by American ships, which are permitted to carry passengers and goods between tho ports in New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji. 3. In tho event of the United States failing to agree to such an arrangement will the Government intimate that it Will be compelled to take necessary steps to enlist tho co-operation of tho Imperial. Government and the Government of Australia in withdrawing the privilege of trading between British ports in the Pacific at present extended to American ships? . "Tfie Government," said Mr. Coates, in his reply, "fully recognises the inequity of the position which has arisen in respect of competition by subsidised foreign shipping, and communications on tho subject with his Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia are passing between us. I am not in a position to make a further statement at present.". Mr. Coates added that communications had also passed between tho Government and the Imperial Government on the subject.