YEARS OF PROGRESS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 83, 9 April 1934, Page 10

YEARS OF PROGRESS

UNION COMPANY'S RISE

A NEW ZEALAND LINE

daxgeks.to.be faced

"Not the least important event in tho history of New Zealand was the formation of. the Union Steam Ship Company in 1575, said Mr. AY, SommerviUe, secretary of the New Zealand Institute of Marino and Power En-

ginccrs, at a complimentary function tendered by tho institute on Saturday night to Mr. James Smith, retiring superintending engineer ,of the company, and his successor, Mr. R. L. Gillies.

Mr. Sommervilb said that the development and progress of New Zealand hail undoubtedly been bound up with this important concern, particularly in the early days when the company engaged in a more extensive coastal trade. Its progress had been of a phenomenal nature. From a small parochial concern it had become one of the most important lines in the British Empire. When the company was formed it owned five vessels aggregating about 2000 tons, and it now owned well over 50 vessels aggregating considerably more than 200,000 tons. Instead of its largest vessel. being of 720 tons its biggest ship was now nearly 18,000 tons. "The past 30 years had witnessed marvellous developments in marine engineering and propulsion, and in naval architecture, continued Mr. Sommcrvillc, in all of which the "Union Company had kept abreast or in advance of the times. During that period the steam turbine had been introduced and had had its rivals, but a return was being made to Parson's turbine in order to recapture the Blue Riband of the Atlantic. The Diesel engine had also been developed to a very high standard as a propelling unit and had thrown out' a challenge to steam. -With these important developments had come the use of oil fuel in place, of coal, and of steam pressures as high as 5001b to the square inch, with'temperatures of 700 deg. F. The same period had witnessed the introduction of electricity aboard ship and its use as a means of propulsion. TRIBUTE TO MANAGEMENT. "When we come to look back and review these remarkable changes'as far as the Union Company is concerned," said Mr. Sommervillo, "there is no doubt that the prosperity of the company has had a groat deal to do with these important advancements. It is also a tribute to the foresight of the. founders of the company, Sir James Mills, and those associated with him in the early days; and later such men as Sir Charles Holdswortli, and Messrs. D. A. Aikcn, A. AY. Wheeler, and. N. S. Falla. These names will always stand out very prominently in connection with the management of the company." Mr. Sbmmervill'e .said that since the institute was formed in 1880 it had always been intimately connected with the Union Company They had.faced adolescence and manhood together. Sir James Mills and Mr. Aikcn were honorary associate members of the institute, Mr. Smith was* an associate member, and Mr. Gillies was an active member of the institute. Mr. Smith, he said, appeared before them as a bundle of facts so far as the Union Company's engineers were concerned, and he thought that Mr. Smith had a staff worthy of' the highest recognition—a body of men ranking second to none in the British Empire. He recalled that when the com-' pany celebrated its jubilee Sir James Mills said that he. had always had a great regard for the ongincers as a body, since they had served the company well and stood by it •in many a tight corner. NEW SHIPS IN VIEW. Replying on behalf of the management of the company, Mr. N. # S. Falla (joint general manager) said that the company was proud to be toasted in such a "manner, and lie regretted that those who had been longer connected with the management were unable to be present. If Mr. Aiken were present he would first and foremost wish to pay a tribute to the loyalty of the engineering staffs throughout the company's career. Those who had to do with, the handling of a shipping business knew very well indeed what the engineering side meant to the owners of a ship. They in their professional careers knew that this was a great age of change. Mr. Smith, lie said, was not entirely severing his connection with the company, but was leaving shortly for England, and it was no secret to say that his mission was to do with the problem of the propulsion of new tonnage. It was a great tribute to Mr. Smith's mental and physical vitality that he was able to go and discuss such matters with overseas experts in his profession, and meet them on equal terms. INTERNATIONAL ASPECT. "After the three years in' which I hay.c been away from the Union Company, having to do with overseas trade,',' said Mr. Falla, :'I have found on my return to office remarkable changes in trade generally, most of them, of course, common knowledge. The substitution of oil -for coal is a very big thing, but I have in mind more particularly the extraordinary international aspect of shipping problems as we'at present find. them. "This theme was dealt with in a very able manner by the chairman of the P. and O. Line, Mr. Alexander Shaw, on his visit to New Zealand, and it is impossible for me to add anything to his eloquence; but I think his words should bo very closely studied because there arc very real dangers to the shipping companies of the British Empire today, and of particular concern to the Union Company arid- others who participate in tlic intercolonial trade.' . "The Union Company was born in New Zealand and nurtured here, and has come to some.eminence—and by the grace of Providence will continue to hold its place. There is no gainsaying, nor is it proper to minimise, the real dangers of the present age, and accordingly it is . highly important that we in this country and in Australia should all develop our own nationalism to withstand attacks from other quarters. Unless we give this matter very close study and proper support, I assure you there are grave dangers ahead for local concerns. "That perhaps is a sombre note—not sombre, but graye —but because of its importance I think it is not out of I place to mention it in this company. Wo are all vitally, affected."