AMERICAN LINE OF STEAMERS

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 3538, 21 February 1927, Page 8

AMERICAN LINE OF STEAMERS

May Resume New Zealand Trade CEASED OPERATIONS AT * OUTBREAK OP JVAR [“Times” Special.] AUCKLAND, Saturday Night. Amongst the passengers on board the Cunard liner “Franconia” Is Mr. Edward J. Barber, part owner of the Barber Steamship line of New York. This well-known line operates In all parts of the world and has offices in Liverpool and agencies in practically every country. To a reporter this morning Mr. Barber, who is accompanied by his wife, said that his line of steamers commenced trading to New Zealand In 1910. But on, tlie outbreak of war the service had to be discontinued. In answer to a question Mr. Barber said his firm had in mind the reintroducing of services to this part of the world as soon as conditions as far aa shipping v.as concerned had improved. The United States Snipping Board which had taken over the control of all American shipping during the war was selling its boats as well as the trade routes on which they had been operating. Some Of the lineg had buyers, but the ones coming down to New Zealand and Australia although for sale had not yet been secured. Mr. Barber is making inquiries at this end with -the possible view to making a purchase. But in his opinion at present the price appeared to be rather high. It would • appear that the United States’ ’ Shipping Board was operating in these waters through some agency.