SOUTH ISLAND—MELBOURNE

Evening Star, Issue 23015, 21 July 1938, Page 2

SOUTH ISLAND—MELBOURNE

DIRECT STEAMER SERVICE ESSENTIAL BIG DEPUTATION APPROACHES MINISTERS DIFFICULTIES DISCUSSED MODERN VESSEL REQUIRED [From Due Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, July 21. “ It looks as if Southland is on the map this morning,” was the Prime Minister’s greeting to a deputation of 30 strong which filled the Cabinet room to urge on the Government the necessity for direct regular steamer communication between the South Island and Australia. Associated with the Prime Minister wore Mr Jones (Minister of Defence), Mr Langstone (Tourist Minister), Mr Sullivan (Minister of Railways), while Mr Schmidt, manager of the Tourist Department, was also present. The bodies represented were the Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill City Councils and harbour boards, the South Islands Travel Association, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland progress leagues, the Wellington City Council and Chamber of Commerce.

It was explained by Mr Hamilton in introducing the speakers, that they asked for Government assistance to maintain a regular steamer service between the South Island and Melbourne, calling at Wellington. . Mr W. A. Ott, chairman of the Bluff Harbour Board, reminded the Prime Minister that the Ward Government granted a subsidy of £36,000 annually. He. suggested that the Victorian and Tasmanian Governments be approached, urging their interest in the service. Mr W. A. Gibbon, Canterbury Chamber of Commerce; stated that Mr Savage, in 1934, at Invercargill, declared that the Bluff-Melbourne service should not be stopped, as it was not economic that a province with such potentialities should be deprived of an outlet. Wellington support came from MiMartin Luckie, deputy-mayor, who suggested that there was no comparison in the passenger and freight business today with that of tho period when the subsidised service was running. It had developed enormously, and some more promising effort should be made with a better class of steamer. Mr- A. H. Allen, Mayor of Dunedin, stated that when there was a good service between the South-and Australia four vessels battled for the business, a sure sign that.it existed when facilities were available. Practically every steamftr used in the recent service was obsolete, ... . “ We in Wellington hold the opinion that the South Island is gradually drifting into the position of the handmaiden of the North,” remarked Captain Holm, Wellington Chamber of Commerce. Mr Langstone, the first Minister to -reply, said that the crux of the question was a suitable steamer. In the last year of service accommodation was provided for 3,096 passengers and 1,735 travelled. There must be some eco-' nomic reason for the position, bnt -he was sorry tho old story of the South Island being the Cinderella was being trotted out. A tremendous, amount of publicity had been devoted to the South Island, half the money being spent on it. There was a £40,000 to £50,000 loss on the running of the Maunganui, possibly because it was too big for the traffic. They had tried to get the Empress of Britain to enter the Sounds, but the captain told him he was sorry there was such a haze that he could not run the risk. Mr Sullivan spoke enthusiastically of the southern scenery, but when he looked on the losses associated with previous efforts ho realised the size of the problem which the deputation presented. It might be possible to get the co-operation of tho Australian Governments, and ho suggested that there might be a modified scheme to encourage winter traffic for a start. Mr Jones, congratulating the South Island on capturing Wellington interest, suggested that a great deal depended on the South Island traders’ and tourist facilities being so rapidly improved that tho South Island would, soon come definitely on the tourist map. “ My opinion has not ..altered,” declared the Prime Minister. “ Southland is part of New Zealand, and my responsibility is just as great to it as to Auckland. Tho. west of the South Island can do with a whole lot more development. We are making special efforts and a lot remains to be done before we can get, far. Transport must be considered, overseas as well as internally, and something roust he done in the way of getting Southland connected with Melbohrne.” It was, added Hr Savage, a question of method. On the 16 trips of the Maunganui there was a loss of £40,000. They must have accommodation that was more attractive.to .travellers, for if a ‘fifth-rate vessel ran from Bluff against the • Awatea; running from Auckland, what sort of Chance would it got? The GoVcrnment would have to go into the position with the shipping company and its own departments. “ Anil,” he concluded, “ my whole heart and soul is in the direction of establishing a connection between the South Island and Melbourne, but you. must not expect it to start on Monday morning, though the investigation may start then.”