TRADE WITH ISLANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21239, 20 July 1932, Page 13

TRADE WITH ISLANDS.

THE MAUI POMARE.

AUCKLAND'S STRONG CLAIM.

LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER. The restoration of Auckland to tlie itineraiy of tho Government motorvessel Mnui I'omarb is still being actively pursued by tho Auckland Chamber of Commerce in face of the Cabinet's recent decision. As the result of a further meeting of the special committee yesterday, a letter was despatched to tho Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, by the president of the chamber, Mr. A M. Seaman.

The letter admits the difficulties found by tho Government in running the Maui Pomare, but adds that the difficulties of Auckland traders aro no less real and the present position cannot be allowed to continue. Part of Auckland's Island trade is being transferred to other ports by Governmental action. "Wo note that in your letter you refer to tho fact that the itinerary of the vessel cannot he altered, at least at present," adds tho letter. '-'May wo hope a comprehensive investigation of the whole matter and an alteration of tho Cabinet's present decision will not be long delayed." Loss ol Trade. The letter goes on to say that the loss to Auckland of tho passenger steamer Tofua is related to the running of tho Maui Pomare, and therefore those concerned must turn to the Government for the restoration of their shipping facilities. In the meantime, and until Auckland is again included in the itinerary, the committee asks that in order to help Auckland to regain its trade the Government shall charge a through rate of freight not exceeding tho present direct rates.

"We regret the necessity of our having to continue to press this matter upon you," the letter concludes, "but the sheer inconsistency of the present position whereby Auckland citizens are assisting to subsidise a Government steamer, only to drag their trade elsewhere,' to say nothing of the effect of the loss of trade itself, creates a state of affairs which no responsible citizen and, we confidently believe, no Cabinet, can permit to continue."

Elaborating tho arguments contained in the letter, Mr. F. A. Hellaby., chairman of the special committee, said yesterday that Auckland firms trading with the Islands still hoped the Cabinet's decision was not final. Auckland had now been deprived of its passenger and refrigerated cargo service to Tonga and Samoa, and its direct service to Niue. The question was important to the Dominion, as well as to Auckland, because there was a real risk that an export trade which Auckland firms had built up in the course of many years, and which was an important national asset, would be partly or almost wholly lost to New Zealand. Australia to Benefit. Mr. Hellaby said he felt safe in staling that southern manufacturers and merchants in general were not well acquainted with tho needs and tastes of consumers in the Islands. Tho consumers, moreover, definitely wanted certain lines of goods manufactured in Auckland, and if they could not. get them would buy Australian goods, which were actively canvassed in the Islands. Regarding the Maui Pomare, Mr. Hellaby said it was impossible to imagine any shipping company attempting to run a steamer between the Islands and the southern ports of New Zealand without calling at Auckland. Tho detour required for a call at Auckland on the northward trip was very small, and from the Government's point of view should be more than justified by the extra cargo and passengers that would bo obtained. He felt sure it was by no means impossible to arrange the vessel s itinerary so that the Auckland trade might be preserved together with the direct carriage of fruit to the south.