IMPROVED SHIPPING

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 1 September 1919, Page 5

IMPROVED SHIPPING

INDUSTRIES COMMIITEE'S \" D2W& I

The overseas -trade^^ must be our:nrst consideration,' states the Industrie&XJom- v mittee's report,: and whenthetrementdous increases in rates during, the-war are taken into account, together with the- phenomenal profits made; by; shapping' companies, ; and tho probability that high'freights-will continue; t6 bo imposed upon shippers, ths Committee^ feel jjhat'.' the portion is on© calling for immediate and effective action^ Thet, Government should, at ?an early date, convene: a conference of producers aßd, importers of the Dominion, with; a- view to, first of ail, endeavoring toi come. t» : an amicable and fair business arrange--:: merit with /-.the steamship companies^; so that reasonable rates and passenger fares may be;fixed for a period of years;: If the companies refuse to enter intw a; safipfactpry arrangement; the';::'G6m-::,': mittee are; of bpinipn tfisat iJie Govern- ; m&nt should, in ' conjunction^ with' ooic producers ;and importers,: establish sA the , earliest" possible moment a Stat«r: line of steamers for th.p whole jof the :oversea«. trade. :'.■- :: '■ '"■';':■':vr. '-?\.

■With, regard to the island trade, i tha Coramitiee urgo idiat?the Goyernmeijk should take steps to bring abouti an improved and regular steamer service betweenth* Fijian, Samoan, and Coble Islands and the Doinlnipn; and1 that aa, exhaustive enquiry be mad© by a competent business many who '■■. should visit the islands and report. generally upon the whole question of present and futiir«? trade with, a. view to its expansion. An additional incentive now exists because of the mandatory given to New" Zealand in the Samoan. Group. Theret should be always a plentiful supply of tropical fruits coming, to this country, but at present we are almost cut off" from^this source of supply; The Committee recommend thej State ownership of the ferry service. between* the North and South Islands, and that* the steamers employed be of the oilburning type, and be worked in conjunction with, the Railway Department. ■ ' The transport of coal has also beeir consideredj and in order to complet<B= the chain of coal Supply from mine tor depot, the Committee declare the Stater ownership of coal-ctUrrying steamers tobe necessary. . .

Settlers using the small ports are hampe/red because of the infrequent andC irregular steam services. By arrangement with the existing companies, the> Government should have a voice in the fixing of rates.and fares charged;- aridthe services to be run. •'.'