STILL FIGHTING

Evening Star, Issue 19843, 17 April 1928, Page 11

STILL FIGHTING

FOR WEEKLY STEAMER SERVICE BETWEEN DUNEDIN AND MELBOURNE “ Wc are determined to ask for a weekly service between the South Island and Melbourne not only for goods, but for tourist traffic. We feel that we have been neglected.” So stated Mr James Taylor, the president, at last night’s meeting of the Council of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, while other members declared that the business men would not take as, final the Union Company’s reply that it would not reestablish the service.

“The position is very unsatisfactory,” stated the letter from the executive to the Hon. H- E. Pratten. Minister of Trade and Customs lor the Commonwealth. Before 1914 there had been a weekly service, but since then Dunedin had had only an irregular thrcc-wcekly service to Melbourne. As a result, tourist and other, traffic between Victoria. South Australia, and Tasmania suffered to a considerable extent. By having to use the Wellington service the south was penalised. Nothing had been done in connection w ith the promise that the pre-war service would be re-established. The executive wrote that it had been pleased to hear of Mr Pratten’s sympathies with ite claims, and that he had had a conversation with Mr Coates on the question. In the letter sent to the Prime Minister the executive asked that in the event of failure to make suitable arrangements with the Union Company the Government would urge a reinstatement of the weekly service as being of vital interest to the South Island. Mr F. Tyson: Did we not go thoroughly into the matter at a conference ?

Mr I',. A. llosevear: That was at tlio Associated Chambers of Commerce. “ It seems to mo to bo only knocking our heads against a stone wall to ask for something which wo had in 1914,” said Mr TysonMr A. H. Allen said that Air 1 ratten, in his Dunedin address, had expressed the desire of Australia for equal trade facilities. Subsequent to the meeting, he had asked Air Prattenif he appreciated the very great difficulty existing owing to the inadequate shipping between the South Island and Australia, when he was furthering the interests of trade. Mr Pratten had replied that he had discussed the matter with Mr Coates, and would go into it thoroughly on his return to the Commonwealth. The .south was not going to take the present attitude of the Union Company as final, for it would cause the island to go further back. As business men, they would not consent to that. If twenty-five years ago it was possible to have a fine weekly service both ways, surely with a greater population now in the South island there should ho more than a threeweekly service. Being a responsible Minister, Mr Pratten’s assistance had been sought. If the Union Company could not give a service the Governments of the dominion nad the Commonwealth should do something. We want a better service between Victoria. South Australia, and Tasmania,” said Mr Allen, “and the business men of Dunedin won’t take the Union Company’s word as final. We are going to fight till we get better conditions.” “Conditions have not changed altogether,” said Mr Tyson. An excellent service now existed between the Old Country and New Zealand, and tons of cargo which were formerly transhipped fiom Australia were now coming direct. He held no brief for the UniorTCoinpanv—far from that; but he thought some of the members were a bitrtoo severe, as ho was satisfied that if a weekly service would pay the Union Company would run it. That position had been stated at the conference. No one would be more satisfied than he if a better service were inaugurated. as it was sickening to have to go to Wellington when travelling to Melbourne. , Mr Allen pointed out to Mr 1 yson that much cargo now being * ra ' l ' shipped at Sydnev was fo 11 the south Island. With a better service from Alolhourne boats would bring the cargo via Bluff. The dominion should also keep an eye on the trade with Tasmania. , “ As a shipping man, Air lyson s lemarks carry weight, but we are determined to ask for this service Tiotonlj for goods, but for tourists, stated the Chairman. “We fee that we have been neglected, and the only sahation for the tourist traffic is a weekly service from to Dunedin via The council decided to confirm the executive’s letters.