USE FOR EXPORTS ONLY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 22 May 1941, Page 10

USE FOR EXPORTS ONLY

MATSON LINE VESSELS fUnited Press Association! Auckland, May 21. Concessions announced recently relating to the use of Matson Line vessels for the carriage of cargo between Australia and New Zealand and also Fiji apply only to exports from the Dominion and then only in special circumstances, according to information obtained by merchants. This is confirmed in a letter to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce from the Minister of Marine, Mr Semple, written on behalf of the Prime Minister in reply to several communications on the subject. Mr Semple wrote that no specific decision had been made or terms and conditions laid down regarding the carriage of cargo generally between Auckland and other British ports in the Pacific by the Matson Line. In view of the fact that British shipping could at the present time cope with the greater proportion of the trade offering, he thought it would be conceded that it would be unwise to take any general action which would tend to prejudice the interests of such shipping. It was appreciated, continued Mr Semple, that there would be occasions when space in the Matson steamers could be utilised for the conveyance of produce and other goods urgently required in the public interest to be transported, and the company had assured the Government of its readiness to co-operate and assist as and when required, provided that sailings were not delayed thereby. The chamber would be aware that recently arrangements were made for the shipment to Australia by a vessel of the company of a class of produce intended for transhipment to the East. In respect of any future similar shipments, arrangements had been made for the Collector of Customs in Auckland to receive applications for transmission to the Comptroller of Customs.