IMPORTERS AND SNIPPERS

Evening Star, Issue 21286, 15 December 1932, Page 6

IMPORTERS AND SNIPPERS

OTAGO ASSOCIATION Tlio monthly meeting of the executive of the Otago Importers and Shippers’ Association was held on Tuesday evening, the chairman (Mr H. C. Campbell) presiding. The first matter dealt with was the reply of the Union Steam Ship Company that it was regretted that owing to tlio present depression in trade the company could not accede to the suggestion of the association to reinstate even an occasional passenger steamer during the summer between Melbourne and South Island ports. In the course of the discussion that followed it was agreed that it was absolutely essential that this question of passenger steamer connection with Australia should he kept prominently in view, if only with the object of saving this end of the dominion from becoming a “ back number,” and to check the threatened Joss of those advantages in this and other spheres to which Dunedin was justly entitled. It was also felt that the loss of regular direct communication with the outside world would react most detrimentally on the outlook of those living in Otago. It was further suggested that during the summer months a revival of the old weekly east coast service might bo feasible, as it would afford holiday makers and those not pressed for time an opportunity to revive tl.j pleasures of the passage by sea. —Speaking generally on this subject, the Chairman informed the meeting that on his recent trip through the North Island, when talking with business men, they had admitted the disadvantages under which the southern portion of the dominion laboured, and promised their support in any steps that might be taken to remedy the same. The next matter considered was a letter from the Otago Harbour Board relative to the coming election of a member of the board specially representing the payers of dues on goods. The arrangements proposed, it was considered, quite met the case. A further letter was submitted from the local agents of a Japanese line of steamers relative to the forthcoming Umpire Fair, to bo held in Hongkong in May next, when a special opportunity would be afforded for exhibiting Australian and dominion products, advising further that any such exhibits would be carried at half rates. The executive also noted with satisfaction a letter received from the Canadian Minister of Railways, Ottawa, in reply to a cable sent by the association some little time ago protesting against the reported withdrawal of the Canadian National Steamers trading to New Zealand. The letter stated that the Government of Canada had not seriously considered such a proposal. . Correspondence was read with the recently-formed New Zealand Importers’ Federation, Wellington, in regard to its success, in conjunction with other commercial interests, in organising an effective protest to the Government against any interference with the exchange rate. It being the last executive meeting for the year, the Chairman: wished all present the compliments of the season, expressing the hope that despite the unfavourable outlook at the. moment, the coming year might prove much better than anticipated.