THIRTY DAY TRIP

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12200, 27 July 1925, Page 2

THIRTY DAY TRIP

NEW ZEALAND TO ENGLAND IMPROVING PRODUCE TRANSPORT AIRSHIPS FOR PASSENGERS The establishment of a regular 30day shipping service between New Zealand and the Old Country, for the speedier and more expeditious carriage of produce, was urged in the Legisloivte Council, when the announcement was madie that at least two shipping companies in England were tired of sending empty ships to the Dominion, and would be prepared to negotiate towards this end. A resolution in support of more speedy transport was carried. A lengthy discussion was introduced bv Sir Thomas Mackenzie, who moved : “That in the opinion of this Council the establishment of a speedier and regular steamship service between New Zealand and Europe would he immensely beneficial, to the industries of this Dominion, especially to the agricultural and pastoral industries, in the higher prices that would then he obtainable in London for our meat—prices . higher, in the case of chilled beef, by nearly SO per cent. —and in the enlarged market that would thereby be (opened to our fruit and other perishable produce, which could be delivered in a still more saleable condition after a voyage of only thirty days.” COMPETITION OVERSEAS The mover said that, although the steam service between New Zealand and the Old Country had been reduced from 79 days to 42 days, a greater reduction was required in the face of the keen .competition which existed with Britain for the one part and her overseas dominions on the other part, and the speediest communication between the outlying portions of the Empire and the great centre in Britain was one of the chief essentials. One'of the main aspects was the difference between frozen and chilled beef, the price of which in some cases varied to the extent of 60 per cent. Some time ago the price of frozen had heen 41d and chilled 7jd, and later the price had ranged at 4Jd and 6|d respectively. “When you consider what this difference means to the cattle-rearing people in this countrycontinued the speaker, you will realise the important hearing it .will have upon the export value of onr 'produce. “Fruit growing, also, is a developing industry itt this country, and could easily occupy, those who are unable ,to stand the stress of farming, while there are many in England who are willing to come here and grow fruit if it has a prospective value. Much is done by South Africa in growing fruit, and recently 65,000 oases of pears wete exported to Britain in a month. SHIPPING COMPANIES KEEN “It‘ is a fact that we have 62 per cent, of the butter trade of Great Britain. Our butter is the best’ article: that goes into the Old Country, and yet the inferior article of the Danes commands\a greater price, because they are close to the market and’ supply it regularly. In respect to worn; al. though it is net an article subject to the variations of temperature,.; the speed of getting it on to the market « important.” The speaker referred to the increasing competition between New Zealand aim South American interests, and; quoted’ figures which showed that the' Argentine—New Zealand’s chief rival in the beef trade,, had increased its exports to Britain, but had on the other hand decreased its imports from Great Britain. Prior, to leaving England he had learned from some shipping companies that if they knew that they had the produce to ship, they would institute a 30-days’ servioe. In'fact, he understood that this was almost an accomplished fact. In reply do an interjection, the speaker said he was not aware of tho attitude of the Minister, but he was assured that the British interests were quite keen. Under present operations the meat was placed with one company, the wool with another, the butter with another, and so on.

AIRSHIPS FOR PASSENGERS ’ The Hon. Sir W. Hall-Jones seconded, and said the question was: Could it be dene? Personally, he thought it could, though there would be an increased cost to eomeone. If the Empire was to be brought through its present difficulties, there should he more action and less talk, and if the shipping companies did not do their share they were not Imperialists—not loyalists. In the early days the vessels were built with a greater consideration for speed—with finer lines—than the present day ship. For tho solution of the passenger traffic he looked to the airship, and predicted that a traveller could nave dinner in New Zealand this evening and lunch in Sydney to-mor-row. He would regret to see the country saddled with the heavy cost of the establishment of a 30-day service.' Sir Francis Bell: That would be the quickest postal service. Sir W. Hall-Jones: All your important postal matter will go by airship. Hon. members: It is not here yet. Sir Hall-Jones: No. but it is coming. , In continuing, the speaker said he would have liked, on account of the importance of the question, to have seen it referred to a committee. The Hon. G. J. Garland, in speaking to the motion, said that if the service was to he speeded up someone had tp face the inevitable cost. It would be useless to approach the Minister for Commerce in search of a subsidy. RESEARCH ADVOCATED. The whole operations of a vossel were based somewhat upon uncertainty. He thought that rather than advocate a speedier shipping service, the motion should have covered the question of the whole conditions under which beef was chilled and frozen. It was obvious that if the speedy service were established a substantial increase in freights would result. The object was rather to land the produce in good condition than to hurry it across the ocean. The Hon. Colonel Smith supporied the motion, and said he did not consider the 30-dav service an impossibility. «s the advent of the large motor shin was reducing the cost of •".inning. One of the chief difficulties was the multiplicity of ports at which the ships had to call. The sneaker thought that if existing jealousies which existed between the pastoralist and the freezing company and between the daily producer and the meat producer could he reduced to a state of “sweet reasonableness” the produce

could be mobilised and dispatched in a satisfactory manner. Sir Francis Bell also supported the motion, and said that it was not necessary that every service should be of 30 days, but only was it essential in the dispatch of produce. He thought the suggestion that the produce should he sent through a combination of ships was a good one. In his reply, Sir Thomas Mackenzie said he had received the definite assurance of both the Shaw, Savill rr.d the New Zealand Shipping Company that thyv required only tbs cargo as no subsidy was sought. “We are I’red of running our boats empty,” they had said; They did not want a committee to investigate the matter. It was a quick business proposition that wrs j required. It would certainly be a considers- j tion to Jiave the postal matter delivi r-> ed quickly to the Old Country. He thought that the extra cost of service would be offset by the enhanced value of the produce.. The motion was carried.