NORFOLK ISLAND TRADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20365, 20 September 1929, Page 11

NORFOLK ISLAND TRADE

UAUII PO M ARE'S SERVICE. EDMINAI3ON SUGGESTED. ,ALJCKLAND"S STRONG PROTEST. A proposal by tha Government to withdraw the motor-ship Maui Pamare from tic Norfolk Island service was serenely criticised at a meeting of the Auckland' Chamber of Commerce council yesterday. Fears were expressed that Auckland's trade •a-ith the island, which had grown ta large proportions since the Hinemoa instituted the service several y#ais ago, would be lost entirely. It was stated that ai, present the Government refused to accept shipments from Nine TclnriW and Samoa, by the Maui Pamare for Auckland direct, goods baring to be consigned to an "unknown ! destinaaaoir." Strong exception was taken to the fact that it' was proposed that should -be deprived of the Stß> ioik Island trade for the benefit of <*omi mercial reLitiona between Nine Island; and !~ Samoa ana southern ports. Letters proi testing against the proposal ware received ' | from 17 local firms. | The chairman, Mr. H- T. Merntt, said a deputation from the chamber had. wasted on the Prime Minister when he was in Auckland. It- was then pointed oat thai the Maui Pismare was not c&ieriiig properly for Auckland trade, and that it was a burden on the taxpayers. Tfcs chairman characterised the Mn.ni Ecraare'a service as the most lamentable, exrawn'on into the domain of private enterprise ever ■m-.iAf, by the Government. It was now suggested that, in order to help titi service, Norfolk Island shoß&i be cat -oat «£ the iiinerary, bnt - this • wtm!d deprive Auckland" -of a well-established trade. * *' & "In asking the Government ia. retain the Norfolk Jc* 3 ™? serrace- we ana: aofc in any w&Jr apfaaktmg the- GoveßSMßt aitipping service," said Mr.; J. " 8.. Grove. • '-Bui we do fed that, as long astiffl Marr Pamare is running the Governmsui should • retain the Norfolk Island service. The I idea erf discontinuing it is to make mam i frequent trips between southern ■partsand Samoa, from which Auckland gets no benej fit at aiL The running cf more frequent services to the south, at the expense of Auckland seems hardly fair. Even if the vessel is running at a loss Auckland should have some little gain cut of ft.** A Member: The vessel is not serving Auckland at aS from Samoa and Nine. Mr. Grove: Not except for export-pur-poses. We tan export to Samea and Nine . "Mana, but wdil not brnsg cargo feaa, there to Attnidanri under any conskleraiion. If we want bananas in Auckland the island expert-era are not allowed to send them here. They have to ship idam to n-n ffnimriirn asid ibs Gr,Vcrrnmut lands -ffown in tiie floatiL Trade tncreariog Steadily. Mac. Grave -said the Anddaad-Nescfolk Island trade had increased steadily. A total of 39 ues was seat to ttee inland on the first trip,, whereas exports now -totalled about 150 tens a trip, and 13» cargo space was booked for sevexsd trips ahead. This section was the'anfy paying part of the whdLa irineraziy; r:, r ; • ; • Tiie secretary. Dr. E.v K ; . Nesle, said thai figures supplied- by the Government showed that a profit was*being made" cm the trade between Auckland and Norfolk Island, whereas that between Island "J, and Samoa Southern porta was show- " ing a less. "Is it a ( fact «hat thej rsfesed to allow anyone to ship frail to .ArifViand from Samoa and .Nine Mand T" 3SSr. J. A. d Allum asked, **We shennJ l protot most strongly. We have to pay dor dare of the losses on die ship and they should not cut out -oar trade m sny_vsy. It is monstrous. ** v **lt is quite true that they w£3 not ■« cany a shipment to Anckiand," stated Mr. Grove. "They wall take it only to an unknown destination. You cannot ship to any particular port in New Zealand from Nine or Samoa,.but on no cansid- ; S eration at all can you ship to Anddand." Latest Trade Figures. "It i» an extraordinary state ,«! affairs," remarked the chairman,, Mr. .H, TL Merritt>. Mr. W. R. Effingham: Bias so cargo :yf been delivered to Auckland at all from Samoa or Nine Island ? Mr. Harvey Turner said cargo faaa these places been landed s£ Anck- , land twice. On one occasion the vessel's machinery broke down and the cargo had to be pot oat at Aocklnaid for safety. (Laughter,)

"There is no doubt that lbs Berries between Auckland and Norfolk Island muss fee a pajmg, que for the Government, because they take a full load of passenger* down sad bring- * Snfl-'lnad back," said Mr... Tarnec. *"Tfae pimmgm practically pay .for the raaaing of the boat to Norfolk Maud.** • . . Mr..'Turner added 'far Hba .jwur : ended March 31, 1326. tire imports la*. Norfolk Island from Hew Zealand were raised at £1320, and £khh . Australia £17,363. In 1227-23. .New Zealand .imports were valned as £15,140 and Aaaftxa*. iiaa at' £27,465. The value of erphrffc ia Australia during the two years rose fenn £4478 to £15,231, and to New Zealand i from £35464 to £3855. ' > " - -

Inquiry by Committee. Mr. A G. ■ Lann said ihe chamber should for representatives to visit Wellington to. place Auckland's case colore the Government. "It is-a far toa serious -question to remain in xis present condition," he added. •The .secretary «dd i* was arranged that evidence regarding the Maui Pomare's running would be hasad by a Government committee in W effingfcon on Tuesday- <■. "It is a very important maimer" said J t lna chairman. "Apaii iixim the loss - of * trade to Auckland there is a principle involved for winch we should .esert all our force. There is a movement on foot in tie south to secure ,in additional call of the Maui Pomare at eontiiern ports. They are cutting out the trip to Auckland ia order to after further facilities for 1258 southern parts. I think we should take any steps necessary to check any movein em. in ••be south to penalise Auckland iu the Island trade. We have bean hit quits enough as it is hy the Maui Posasa* without suffering any more" • ? - - It was decided writ® to the firms concerned iu the Island trade, stating- thai the chamber would take up' ihe Question. A deputation is also to- tnsit Wellington.