SHIPS TO SYDNEY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 30, 5 February 1941, Page 6

SHIPS TO SYDNEY

WELLINGTON AFFECTED

WITHDRAWAL OF MAUNGANUI

ADJUSTMENT SOUGHT

Because the withdrawal of the Maunganui from the Sydney-Welling-ton service has left Wellington without a direct Australian passenger contact, the Wellington Chamber of Commerce has decided to approach the authorities asking lhat the transTasman services now going to Auckland be divided with Wellington on alternate trips.

In bringing this question before the council of the chamber last evening, the president, Mrs R. H. Nimmo, said that the withdrawal of the Maunganui from the Sydney service removed not only a passenger service, but also the cargo service. The cargo service was now dependant solely upon cargo vessels.

It was bad enough that Wellington passengers were compelled to travel to Australia via Auckland, he added, but it was infinitely worse for people in the South Island. Only the most urgent war emergency should compel such a step, but the continuance of the service to Auckland indicated that such an emergency did not yet exist. The number of passengers offering from Wellington and the southern part of New Zealand was clear proof that some adjustment of the position was desirable.

Mr. Nimmo added that a deputation had waited upon the Prime Minister and the Minister of National Security, both of whom had promised sympathetic consideration of Wellington's case.

Having in mind that there were four services in and out of Auckland, as well as two air services, he advocated a diversion of the trans-Tastnan ships to Auckland and Wellington alternately, so that the interests of the whole of New Zealand should be adequately served. Unless a war emergency caused the elimination of Wellington—and this did not exist at present—there was no reason why this diversion should not be made. Members agreed that as the authorities were fully alive to the importance of the position, and had promised to do what they could to remedy it. their action could .be awaited with confidence and without further unnecessary discussion.