SOUTHERN SHIP SERVICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20678, 25 September 1930, Page 11

SOUTHERN SHIP SERVICE.

MELBOURNE TO BLUFF. .. .. •• ■■■' - CRITICISM BY FARMERS. \; "v [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN COEHESPONDKNT.3 . . CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. Although they were not willing to decide on definite action without the fullest investigation, the members of the executive of the North Canterbury Farmers* Union to-day affirmed their previously expressed opinions that the Government subsidy on the Bluff to Melbourne steamer service should be discontinued. They held that it was Australia that should pay because the trade balance was all in Australia's favour and that the Commonwealth was closed to many New Zealand products. One member said that every ton of cargo exported by that service cost the country £1 in addition to freight charges. . The chairman, Mr. Colin Mcintosh, said he had received a letter from the secretary, of the Southland executive of the union, which showed that the balance of tradft was against New Zealand. The outward cargo was in the ratio of 6000 tons to 10,000 tons. The Dominion was not getting value for its subsidy. Australia was netting it all and that country should pay.Mr. R. T. McMillan said he felt that New Zealand was really paying a subsidy on goods imported into the country instead of on those goipg out. _ . . : Mr. G. C. Warren said it seemed that much of the goods imported by that service were in direct competition with the produce of New Zealand. It %vas stated that the cargoes wero largely comp6sed of fruit and timber. The finance committee was deputed to obtain all the information possible and to report to the executive.