AMERICAN SHIPPING LINES IN N.Z. TRADE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6626, 12 August 1931, Page 7

AMERICAN SHIPPING LINES IN N.Z. TRADE

Dangers Emphasised

DEPUTATION TO PRIME MINISTER

Per Press Association,

WELLINGTON, Last Night,

Exception to the entry of the Matson shipping line and other highly .subsidised cheap labour lines into tho island and intor-colonial trados was taken by a deputation ffqro the Federated Seamen’s Union of Now Zealand which waited upon the Prime Minister this evening. The deputation stated that at the present time iii Now Zealand waters there was no loss than 70,000 tons of idle shipping, which in commission would give 'employment to over 1000 seafarers, and the entry of the Matson lino would intensify tho position us far as they were concerned, Tho Prime Minister stated that tho matter was under consideration by the Government.

The deputation was introduced by Mr. P. Fraser, and Messrs. C. H. Chapman and W. E. Parry were also present. The general president of the union (Mr, F. P. Walsh) said the deputation hud been dirocted by stop-work meetings of members held in Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton and Dunedin to approach the Government in order to state their objection to the Matson and other lines entering into the island and intor-colonial trade. Enactments for tho protection of tho American maritime industry were quoted by Mr. Walsh. The Matson ships, lie said, were already enjoying a huge subsidy for their present service between Kan Francisco and Sydney, and they would got still more when calling at Auckland. In addition, the Matson Company was building three 20,000-ton vessels for the trans-Pacific trade, on which tho United States Government was lending it £2,250,000 for 20 years at a rate of interest of only 3) per cent. For tho building of the first two of the vessels the subsidy and interest would aggregate £528,000 annually. Taking into consideration tho wages and working conditions of the seamen, the American standard was 40 per cent, lewer than that ruling in New Zealand. Mr. Walsh quoted resolutions passed by fanners and chambers of commerce opposing the entry of the Matson Line into the Pacific and intercolonial trade.

In reply, tho Prime Minister stated that there had been other representations in respect to tho running of the Matson Line and that the matter was now under consideration. He could not say anything further at the present juncture, but no doubt later on he would be able to reply to the representations tho deputation had made to him.