TRADE WITH THE COAST

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11653, 18 October 1923, Page 5

TRADE WITH THE COAST

GAN IT BE RETAINED ? PRESIDENT OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON THE SUBJECT. STEAMERS v. RAILWAY. Addressing members of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce yesterday, Mr J- Myers sajd that tor .many years much of the trade of the West Coast of the South Inland had come to Wellington. With the opening of the Otira tunnel there was a probability of losing portion of that, trade. However, a good deal could bo retained, as the railways had never yet been known to compete with the steamers in the carriage of certain classes of goods. “A NEW FACTOR.” The quarterly report of the chamber makes the following reference to the same subject: The opening of the Otira tunnel lias brought a new factor into the trade of Westland, and made this market- easily accessible to Christchurch merchants, and the importers and Customs committee has been investigating the effect that it will have upon the business do.nq with the West Coast from Wellington. Rati freights are charged by Weight and sea freights generally by measurement, so that where goods are large in bulk but light ill Weight, it is to be, anticipated that the rail will be preferred, but the major portion and more valuable part of the trade is in heavier lines and general merchandise, and this should be retained bv Wellington, and its volume increased as the coast’s development proceeds. If the West Coast traders will bear in mind the relative freights and comparative cheapness of sea carriage they will find it more profitable to secure their requirements from Wellington. THE QUESTION OF FREIGHTS.

i Many orders have already gone to I Christchurch without due consideration ! of these factors, and firms should instruct their travellers to acquaint their clients with-the respective freights and idle advantages of continuing to order from Wellington. Sea. carriage should hold its own, particularly with tbqse i places close to the seaboard, but, of ooufs®, we expect the trade in such lines as grain, produce, and'seeds to be secured by Canterbury. The railway mqv give a more, regular dispatch, but',' if the shipping companies would ; but' give a time-table freight service the advantages should remain with Wellington, and trade wifi hot be diverted to southern competitors. A deputation waited on the principal shipping companies now engaged in the trade, and they stated they aim to provide a bi-weekly service, and, if weather, bar, and other conditions do not unreasonably interfere with the Sailings, boats would leave Wellington on regular days—Tuesdays and Fridays were suggested—and this would enable travellers on the coast to telegraph orders the previous day for dispatch by such vessels, which would give the coast the benefit of the cheaper sea freight. ANOTHER POINT. We have heard of requests that there [should bq no special tunnel rate on [ gopds parsing through the Otira tup[nel, and also that differential rates ; should apply <>» that railwav to enable I sea carriage to be competed with, but. the Ne» Zealand, taxpayer has been burdened with the full cost of the tunnel, and. he is unlikely to appreciate any such proposals for further concessions to but, a section of the population. Differential rates to such, a place a? Greymauth would affect the revenue of the Harbour Board there, and the ratepayers in that district will probably object to being asked to shoulder a possible deficit in the workings of the board, and it will be to their interest to encourage shipping to use the port and not to discourage it.