SHIPPING SERVICE

Evening Star, Issue 18048, 16 August 1922, Page 4

SHIPPING SERVICE

IMPROVED SOUTH ISLAND TRADE PROMISED,

[Special to the ‘ Star.’]

CHRISTCHURCH, August 15. The meeting on Monday of those interested in the question of direct shipping to South Island ports to discuss matters with Mr W. H. Price, manager in Christchurch of the Union Steam Ship Company, was not open to the Press, but a report of tho proceedings is to bo supplied. Mr S. A. Orchard, president of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, who was seen on the subject to-day, stated that the meeting was a very ■satisfactory one, and that all those who attended it went away from it well pleased as a rcsiilt of the statement made by Mr Price. Regarding the present position and the company’s proposals, Mr Orchard said that it would not now be necessary to convene tho conference of representatives of the South Island Chambers of Commerce and other similar bodies which it was decided by the meeting held on July 31 should be convened.

“ What the Christchurch and Dunedin Chambers of Commerce will require to do in order to further augment the direct shipping facilities to South; Island ports,” Mr Orchard added, “ will be to submit a remit to the annual conference of associated Chambers of Commerce to be held in November at Dunedin urging the Government, when next arranging the subsidy for the San Francisco service, to stipulate that the Son Francisco steamer shall call at Lyttelton every alternate trip. This is a matter of great importance to the importers of fruit, as under present conditions consignment business is being driven to tho North Island.”

Others who attended the meeting confirmed Mr Orchard’s statement as to its satisfactory character. It is understood that as regards direct trade between Australian ports and South Island ports the present service via the Bluff, which the Paloona is carrying on, will ho augmented by a periodic direct steamer from Sydney to Lyttelton, alternated with one from Sydney to Dunedin direct.