SHIPPING SERVICES

Evening Star, Issue 19518, 28 March 1927, Page 3

SHIPPING SERVICES

DEPUTATION TO PRIME MINISTER BETTER FACILITIES WANTED PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION TO CONSIDER MATTER, A deputation representing the Chamber of Commerce, Importers and Shippers’ Association, Trades and Labor Council, Ironmasters’ Warehousemen’s Association, Retailers Association, Employers’ Association, and Fruit and Produce Brokers’ Association waited on the Prime Minister (Hon. J. G. Coates) this morning to press for bettor shipping *-.oilities N ’- tweea the South Island and Australia and also with the Islands. The speakers pointed out that the present, irregular .services between Bluff and Melbourne was a serious matter to the South Island. FAIR DEAL WANTED. Mr H. C. Campbell (president of tnc Chamber of Commerce) reminded Mr Coates that a deputation had waited upon him in August last about the same matter, but unfortunately there had been no improvement, though whilst the Prime Minister was at Heine he had had plenty of opportunities of discussing matters. He considered that with the amount of money paid to the Union Steam Ship Company it should give a fair and reasonable service to all ports. Mr Coates had admitted that the Union Company could make or break any port He nointed out that we only had an irregular three-weekly service, but Wellington and Auckland had regular weekly ones They had been told that the services did not pay, but he asked how it was that another company with nnlv one boat going between the dominion and Australia was able to keep an office staff <n Auckland and another in Wellington

Giving an instance of the inadequacy of the service between Australia and this part of tho South Island, the sneaker referred to what he described as the “terrible muddle” that resulted when tho delegates to the Medical Conference came here. It was hoped that our tourist resorts would have received the best advertisement that they ever got, but unfortunately they had not dono so. He had suggested to somn of the doctors that they should leave for Melbourne by Bluff, which would have given them an opportunity ot seeing our scenic attractions, but they had all told him that owing to the uncertainty of the service this could not bo done. The South Island did not get any _ advertisement from any passenger service: it was all Auckland and Wellington. The speaker expressed the hope that the Union Company did not yet control tho destinies of the country', though lie was afraid that this might happen. Ho stressed that a regular and better service would be to the advantage of tho railways. It had been stated that the railways in the South Island did not pay, but ho would like to remind the Primo Minister that the cost of haulage over most of the South Island -linesVas lower than elsewhere in the dominion. He considered that tho deputation was entitled to a reasonable' reply.

DIRECT SERVICE WITH ISLANDS. Mr Oswald Reilly, speaking on behalf of tho Fruit and Produce Brokers’ Association, said that many years ago, when the Union Company had its head office in Dunedin, there were frequent services between Dunedin and Melbourne and Sydney and also the Islands, and ho wished to deal particularly with tho latter matter. Tears ago there was a regular service between Suva anti Dunedin, and they were able to arrange a good distribution of bananas here as well as in Invercargill. When tho war broke out the service was discontinued, and since then they had to depend upon their fruit from Auckland and Wellington. Auckland had a good service, but unfortunately, as far as Dunedin was concerned, it was unsatisfactory, as by the time bananas reached the local market many cases wore generally in a bad way. It was sometimes possible to get fruit hero in seven days, but it was also a fact that on occasions it took twentyone days to reacli Dunedin. This had actually happened three weeks ago. The fruit had cost them IDs in Auckland. and when it reached Dunedin it was in a hopeless condition. There was frequently a deterioration of 30 per cent. Fruit that coat 12s per case in the Islands was,sold in Auckland at an average of 19s, but the cost to the retailer here was 2-ls 6d. There was not a great deal in it for tho retailer when he sold bananas at eight a shilling. One third was taken off for loss. The damage was caused by tho delay that occurred in' bringing tho fruit overland. Thanks to its geographical position. Auckland had a big advantage, whilst Wellington was also well placed. In the south they had to rely upon them. When it was announced that the Government intended putting on a steamer, they realised it was their only hope. They had now an opportunity of putting on a direct steamer service. No other, emphasised Mr Reilly, was any good. If such a service were established it would lie a great help to the South Island. ■ DUNEDIN AGAIN LEFT OUT. Mr James Hogg (president of the Manufacturers Association) said that when General Richardson was hero diming the Exhibition he had met representatives of business and commercial interests, who asked him In assist in developing trade between the Islands and tho South Island Mr Hogg was firmly convinced that if a direct .service could- be established the consumption of fruit would be doubled or trebled. He that tho problem of back loading would bo solved by the development of our export trade with the Islands. He pointed out that Auckland had practically a monopoly of tho trade with the Islands. a

Mr Hog[i went on to say that during tho Hon. A. D. M'Leod’s visit to Dunedin two mouths ago a number of representatives from various organisations had met him and discussed the. matter privately with him. They had since gathered that the itinerary of tho boat that was to be pm on included Auckland, Wellington, and Lyttelton, but Dunedin was loft out, aud they wanted to protest against that. As Mr Campbell had said, Dunedin paid its due proportion of taxes, and had ns much right, to fair treatment as other

centres If a boat came hero they would do their best to make it a payable proposition. PRIME MINISTER’S REPLY. Tho Prime Minister said that, first of all. he wanted to assure Mr Campbell that there had been no discourtesy intended in not replying to his letter. When in England lie had been afforded an opportunity of discussing, matters in connection with an improved steamer service, but up till the time he left London nothing had been accomplished. Figures had been made out snowing that tho Melbourne-Bluff service was hot a payable one, but other figures had been made out to prove the other side of tho argument, and up to the present the discussion had not led to anything being done With regffrd to the Island trade, he would discuss tho matter with other Ministers and go into the position. He said it was only natural that Auckland should do the bulk of the trading with tho Islands, as several Auckland firms had interests in several of them.

I Mr Coates, continuing, said it was t realised that the matters referred to by the deputation were important, and the Government had decided to set up a parliamentary commission in orde” to take evidence and arrive at a decision as to what was to be done. They were anxious to get the shipping companies to give evidence. The Government was desirous of getting an improved service between Australia and Dunedin, but until they could get the figures before the parliamentary commission it would bo impossible to make a definite statement. A suggestion had been made that a subsidy should be granted, but they should hesitate before attempting to build up trade by the aid of a subsidy. Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., who introduced the deputation, said they were pleased to have Mr Coates’s assurance that something would bo done, and he hoped it would lead to the establishment of a better serriq®.