THE MANUKA HOLD-UP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20536, 11 October 1928, Page 6

THE MANUKA HOLD-UP.

10 THE EDITOR. Sib, —Your leading article this morning draws attention to a situation which is becoming intolerable. The hold-up of the Manuka at Wellington needs more explanation than is given in the “ local ” paragraph in the same issue. If “ the uncertainty of the position ” at Melbourne is the sole cause of the abandonment of the trip, perhaps in the future we may be treated to excuses such as: “Owing to a threat uttered by some members of the Waterside Workers’ Union at Wellington, the Corinthio did not sail from Southampton, as the position is one of uncertainty.” But, as you say, it is always the South Island that suffers when there is any interruption of the intercolonial services. A question arises in tn.v mind. What becomes of the passengers cargo, and mails which have been booked by the Manuka in anticipation of her leaving Wellington last Saturday? Are they all bumped on the wharf when the decision *s arrived at to abandon the trip? It seems to me that the time is overdue for the Government to take a hand in restoring to the South Island some of the privileges it enjoyed in years gone by. Are w e always to be at the mercy of one shipping company for communication with the Commonwealth? 1 c&n imagine many merchants and others being put to considerable inconvenience as a result of the cancellation of th< Manuka’s trip, and, as far as can !>■ gathered, there seems to be no redress. There was a movement in Dunedin som time ago, if I remember correctly. Vsee if a new shipping company could not be formed to remedy the present impasebut it apparently has faded oiit. Why? Has the “ man in possession ” at present been using the big revolver? I undeistand that some of the directors of the Union Steam Ship Company arc wellknown business men in Dunedin. Whal defence have they to make of the way Dunedin, and the South Island generally, are treated by the management of that company? I trust the business community of Otago and Canterbury will keep hammering at the Government to do something in the way of giving this end of the Dominion more famliticK f.-.i intercolonial communication, and also that you, sir, will continue to exert your ,n fiuence in the same direction.—l am, etc.. J. K.