S. ISLAND-MELBOURNE SERVICE

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 April 1938, Page 4

S. ISLAND-MELBOURNE SERVICE

SUBSIDY PROPOSAL. [PEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] INVERCARGILL, April 28. A decision to approach' the Government and ask for a subsidy to make the South Island-Melbourne shipping service continuous was reached at a meeting of the Executive of the South Islands Travel Association to-day. Mr W. A. Ott, chairman of the Bluff Harbour Board, said that during the winter a smaller vessel would, be put on the run. “There are difficulties, but difficulties are made to be overcome,” he said. “The service should not be intermittent. The Union Steam Ship Company deserves every credit for the service it is giving, and I am more convinced of that now- that 1 have seen the costs of running the service. The company is doing ex-, cellent work at substantial loss, and outside assistance is required.” In supporting the motion, Mr C. H. Clibborn (Lyttelton Harbour Board) endorsed the references to the l Union Company. “The Travel Association should organise an important deputation to the Government to urge the absolute necessity for a subsidy for the South Island-Melbourne service.” he said. “I arn sure the Union Company would do -its best to meet the demand, but it is l not reasonable to expect the company to run at a loss. We Will not get justice for the Southland tourist resorts' until the service is maintained. If the service is assisted, and the association carries on its work there will be an improving demand in Australia for South Island winter attractions'—we think too much in terms of our summer attractions —but it can’t be developed without Government subsidy.” Rev. E. T. Cox (Mayor of Dun-

edin): Why not go for a subsidy for a winter service? Mr'.Clibborn: There is a loss on the summer service, too. There is no subsidy on the service l now. Mr J. J. W. Pollard (Director of the Association) said that the previous subsidy for a. whole year service with two boats was <£36,000. When the Manukau was wrecked the service was carried on by one ship, and the subsidy was withdrawn. CENTENNIAL EXHIBIT. INVERCARGILL, April 28. When the question of an exhibit by the South Islands' Travel Association at the Centennial Exhibition in Wellington in 1940 was discussed at a meeting of the association to-day, Mr W. A. Ott suggested that the South Island provinces should combine ini having a South Island, court. Grants could be made from each province. He did not think that the courts would be a success if left to individual provinces, but that his suggestion would be a practical solution to the difficulty.

In supporting the suggestion, Mr J. Manson (Hanmer Springs) said that little would be seen of the South Island unless the provinces l combined. If there were individual courts each province would have to have a tourist agent, but under a combined plan there would be no necessity for that. Mr John Miller (Mayor of Invercargill) said that the scenic attractions would be the main theme of Southland’s exhibit. The South Island courts should be together.

“We want to show them what we can offer in comparison with the North Island, with its little geysers and little glow worms, and us with our big lakes and big mountains.” said Mi* H. Mackay (Dunedin).