CARGO, BUT NO PASSENGERS

Evening Star, Issue 19894, 16 June 1928, Page 5

CARGO, BUT NO PASSENGERS

ON MELBOURNE-SOUTH ISLAND RUN PROTEST AGAINST TEMPORARY SERVICE By the withdrawal of the Manuka from the Melbourne-South Island run and the placing on the service of a cargo vessel, passenger service between Australia and the South Island will be suspended until the Manuka comes out of dock. Protests have been made by both the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce and tlie Importers and Shippers’ Association. The following _ message to the head office of the Union Company was sent by the chamber last night:—“Announcement in to-day’s paper Manuka being withdrawn from Melbourne-Bluff service for survey aud overhaul and replaced by cargo steamers. Chamber of Commerce sfcronglv protests against such arrangement, which will seriously affect New Zealand interests, and urgently requests reconsideration so that passenger service will be maintained.”

The Importers’ Association senttho following telegram to the Prime Minister:—“ft is announced in the daily papers that the Union Company intends withdrawing the Manuka from the Melbourne service for overhaul and during her absence providing only a cargo-boat service. It would appear as if the company is indifferent regarding the success of this trade, for it is quite certain that handling in this way pre indices the chance of development. Please use your influence to secure a. more satisfactory arrangement.”