MATSON LINERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23969, 20 May 1941, Page 8

MATSON LINERS

CARRIAGE OF CARGO USE FGR EXPORTS ONLY STATEMENT BY MINISTER Concessions announced recently relating to the use ol' 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, the Hon. It; Scruple, written on behalf of the Prime Minister in reply to several communications on tho subject. ' Mr. Semple wrote that no specific decision had been made or terms and conditions laid .down regarding the carriage of cargo generally between i Auckland and other British ports in tho Pacific by tho Matson Line. In view of the fact that British shipping could at the present time cope with tho greater proportion of tho trade offering, ho thought it would bo 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. Semplo, that there would bo occasions when space in the Matson steamers could bo utilised for the conveyance of producd and other goods urgently required in the public interest to be transported, and the company had assured the Government ol its readiness to co-' operate and assist as and when required, provided that sailings were not delayed thereby. The chamber would be awa.ro 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 Last,. In respect of any future similar shipments, arrangements had been made for the Collector of Customs in Auckland to receive applications for transmission to tho Comptroller of Customs. The position disclosed by the Minister will be discussed by the importers' section of tho Chamber of Commerce to-day. It is pointed out that one of tho great needs is the opportunity to make use of Matson Lino vessels from Australia, especially for transhipment cargoes.