LAGGING BEHIND?

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 60, 8 September 1937, Page 10

LAGGING BEHIND?

COMMERCIAL CENTRE

WELLINGTON'S POSITION

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

Concern at the possibility of Wellington losing its position as a commercial centre owing to its neglect by shipping and air services was expressed at a meeting of the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce last evening, and a committee was appointed to investigate the matter and submit a report to the next meeting.

The subject was introduced by Mr. R. H. Nimmo, who referred to the increasing tendency to concentrate through Pacific shipping and mail services at the port of Auckland. As a result Wellington was seriously handicapped, and the position was going to become worse with the advent of PanPacific Airways. The inauguration of that service had now been decided on, and there was no doubt that the base was going to be established in Auckland. Then there was the question of the trans-Tasman air service, and he had been given to understand that that would link up with the American service at Auckland. His travels abroad had convinced him that in these days of fast travel people in America and Honolulu looked upon New Zealand as a nextrdoor neighbour, but unfortunately there was only one city in New Zealand talked about—Auckland. Merchants had come to regard Auckland as ,the focal point, and agencies were being established there that could with better advantage be established in Wellington. That meant that the Wellington commercial community was Suffering a very great disadvantage. The tourist traffic was also seriously affected, said Mr. Nimmo. American tourists only knew one city. They arrived at Auckland, went down to Rotorua, and returned to Auckland, satisfied that they had seen New Zealand. The tourists never thought of paying a visit to the Capital City. He had discussed the matter with the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop), who was fully alive to the dangers of the present position. In his opinion, it was high time the chamber took action, and he moved: That this chamber views with deep concern the tendency to concentrate the through- Pacific passenger and mail shipping at the port of Auckland, while such services at the port of Wellington are now depleted to such an extent as to seriously handicap and embarrass the Capital City, and the remainder of the Dominion, and that this matter be referred to the transport and vigilance committee for investigation and report at the next meeting of the chamber. The motion was seconded by Mr. M. G. C. McCaul, who said that Wellington was being seriously neglected by shipping interests. Mr. Nimmo had done a service to Wellington in bringing the matter before the chamber. CAT OUT OF BAG. Mr. W. S. Cederholm said that the chamber would' never, get .anywhere unless it kicked, and he suggested they should write to the Matson Line suggesting that their boats should call at Wellington. . Mr. Nimmo: Mr. Cederholm has let the cat right out of the bag. That is one of the matters I investigated when I was abroad, and that is one of the matters I will report to the committee. The time is long overdue for thi» to be done. The motion was carried. Reporting on air services generally, Mr A. R. Hislop said that the chamber had put up a big fight for Rongotai as an airport, and it was a satisfaction to know that recently one of the machines on the Palmerston North to Dunedin run—the biggest machine in New Zealand—had been able to land at Rongotai when it was impossible for it to land at Christchurch or Blenheim. That should be a reply to the critics. Sir Charles Norwood: Do you know whether the Wellington-Auckland service has a 100 per cent, record? ■ _ Members of the council: That is quite right. Mr. Hislop suggested that the council should again approach the Government in reference to Wellingtons claims as a terminal for the transTasman service. The Harbour Board should also be asked what steps U was taking to make Wellington suitable for a terminal. ...,.„, Sir Charles Norwood said that they would find that the Harbour Board would co-operate in its usual efficient manner as soon as definite information was available. The big problem at the moment was to get the service.