MELBOURNE STEAMER SERVICE

Evening Star, Issue 21715, 9 May 1934, Page 8

MELBOURNE STEAMER SERVICE

*' THE LAST NAIL IN ITS COFFIN " STRONG CRITICISM OF UNION COMPANY PROGRAMME PROTEST TO PREMIER AGAINST SUBSIDY GRANT Tlie Union, Steam Ship Company was the subject of strong criticism at a meeting convened by the Chamber of Commerce last evening to consider the announcement by the company of the resumption of the South Island-Mel-bourno steamer service during the Melbounio centenary celebrations.. The opinion was freely* and candidly expressed by almost every speaker that the company, if it carried its proposed programme into operation, would effectually ruin the prospects of a permanent, service, several declaring that this seemed to be the intention of the company. The choice of the Maheno, which was described as being quite unsuitable for the purpose, also aroused warm comment. Mr R, G. Burgess presided, and there were present: Messrs H. C. Campbell, R. Duncan, J. J. Marlow, A. A. Paapc, R. S. Black, W. D. Lambert, D. W. M'Coy, A. Smiley, and G. Simpson. The Union Company forwarded a statement (already published) as to the resumption of the service in November, and its intention to place the Maheno on this run. Letters were also received from the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, the Southland League, the Invercargill Progress League, and the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce, assuring the Dunedin Chamber of the willingness of these bodies to co-operate in any steps taken to restore the service. Mr Burgess said that since the lost meeting the Union Company had made an announcement. It was not a satisfactory announcement, in that the service would be inaugurated too late, and there must be objection to the boat itself. (“Hear, hear.”) Whether that boat was going to give them the permanent service they required was a matter of opinion. And the general opinion in Otago was that it was not the boat to maintain that service successfully. Mr Marlow said that he felt, that they were in a rather difficult position. On the face of it it seemed that the Union Company was setting out to kill their efforts. (“Hear, hear.”) One was forced to that conclusion. The proposed service would not get anyone to Melbourne in the required time, and, as business men, they must recognise that the company, in its own interest, would divert passengers to ono port and send them from that port. That could only bo done at the expense of time and money to the southern people. The programme the company had announced was out of all reason, and 75 per cent, of the tourists would not be able to make use of it. One did not want to antagonise a body like the Union Company, but they simply sat down to this sort of treatment. And if satisfaction could not be obtained from the company there must be a question of other arrangements. Mr Marlow said that the attitude of the company was most unfair, and he considered that the complaints should be loud and strong. ’ Mr A. A. Paape stated that Christchurch and Dunedin people would bo required to go to Bluff to embark. Seven trips were provided for, but up to November 11 no less than forty important events would have taken place. The air race, for example, would be concluding about October 20. “ I would say that if any company had laid itself out to spoil our chances of getting an efficient Bluff-Melbourne service, no company could have done more,” declared Mr Paape. “ We would have been infintely better off if this programme had not been arranged at all, and I think that wo should most strongly protest against tho grant of a subsidy to such a service as is proposed. This state of affairs is an absolute calamity.” Mr Paape drew a comparison with the excursion inducements being offered from Home, a programme that was already in operation. He urged that a public meeting should be held to enable the citizens to express their feelings on this matter, and that everyone should take his coat off to push a protest about the lateness of the service, the unsatisfactory vessel, and the short number of trips. He did not consider that 20 per cent, of those proposing to visit Melbourne would do so under the present conditions. Mr R. S. Black told the meeting that they enjoyed a better service seventy years ago than they did now. When one considered the development and size of Dunedin, such a state of affairs was absolutely absurd. “ I feel very strongly that ( the people of Dunedin would lie lacking in moral : courage in not backing up the.message from Invercargill, and demanding a cheaper, earlier, ancT generally more effective service, and (if it is not given) if they do not tell the Union Company to keep it and that we will get another elsewhere. Since the Union Company sold its birthright to the P. and 0., the South Island has been off the map. You would bo surprised at the figures thatcould be produced to prove that the company has, either deliberately m otherwise, ignored the South Island. The Maheno might hilvc been good as a hospital ship in the war years, but this is 1934. The world is full of ships lying at anchor, and it is up to tho South Island to show that something can be done.” .. , ~ Mr H. C. Campbell said that the Initial thing was the unsuitability of the vessel proposed. Tho Chairman: And the time-tabK and the service. , r , Mr Campbell added that the Maheno had only done one successful run, and that was when she was a hospital shin. She was at present stripped and out-of-date and it would cost a great deal to refit -her. She would do more harm with their connection with Victoria than if they had no vessel at all. Mr R. Duncan said that ho was glad others had spoken as they had, for it was necessary that they_ should take the gloves off with the Union Company. “ We should pass the company a vote of thanks—for nothing,” he continued. “ It is putting the last nail in the coffin of the service, and the only thing left for us to do is to send it an invitation to the funeral. We must tackle this problem in some other way. It seems, on the face of it, as if the company is trying to fool us. Mr G. Simpson suggested that there should be a meeting with a representative of the Union Company toasccrtam definitely if a more attractive offer could be made. , Mr Paape said that a deputation of citizens could possibly be sent direct to Wellington to the Prime Minister. The Chairman pointed out that whatever action was taken,- a definite programme must ho instituted to obtain salisfaction. A protest meeting at the

Town Hall would not serve if it wa* not followed up in very practical manner. . The matter was then discussed informally. Astonishment was expressed as the scale of fares was produced. It was finally decided to write to the Union Company in expression of th« strong dissatisfaction existing with th« proposed programme, and to the I nina Minister, protesting against any subsidy being granted it a vessel of the Maheno class is employed in the service. A committee consisting of the mavor (the Rev. E. T. Cox), tho chairman (Mr Burgess), the secretary (Mr H. P. West), and Messrs H. C. Campbell, R. Duncan, J. J. Marlow. R. S. Black, and A. A. Paape was appointed to wait upon the Hon. Adam Hamilton when he visits Dunedin at the end of this week, and present to him tba strongest protest against the proposals of the Union Company.