SHIPPING SERVICES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20930, 21 January 1930, Page 10

SHIPPING SERVICES.

MELBOURNE TO BLUFF. NEGLECT OF SOUTHERN INTERESTS. At last night’s meeting of the committee of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce the secretary reported that he had written to the Postmaster-general in the following terms:—“ By reason of the un fortunate loss of the Manuka the hopes entertained of the South Island Cham hers of Commerce and other interested bodies for the service to be run by the Manuka and Maheno have been disappointed. We trust, however, that the present state of affairs will not long continue, and that efforts will be made to have the Manuka replaced. This chamber has been entrusted by all South Island bodies interested to ask on their behalf in the matter for an improved service, and we would therefore be glad to hear from you as early as possible as to what is being done in this direction, and also what subsidy, if any, is being paid for the service now run by the Maheno.” No reply to this had been received to this letter. The secretary of the Melbourne Chamber of Commence wrote regarding the chamber’s letter concerning the Mel- - bourne Harbour Trust’s charge for storage of goods pending transhipment, and stated that with the 10-days service hat difficulty would probably have disap peered, as the Harbour Trust allowed goods to stay on the wharf for six days after the final discharge of the vessel. The loss of the Manuka, however, materially affected the position, and the Harbour Trust was again being approached in the matter. The chairman (Mr A. H. Allen) said that since last meeting the service- had suffered a severe blow through the loss of the Manuka. It was disappointing that after struggling they should have failed to get a better service and that one boat they relied upon should have met with disaster. After the loss they had interviewed the Union ' Company, and tried to ascertain what steps were being taken to keep the service going, but they had received no - answer beyond what had appeared in the newspapers, and that the Government - had arranged for a 21-days service with the Maheno. That service, however, was inadequate. The service the Government had accepted was for 12 months. It was practically the old Manuka run. The question was whether the Government was paying any subsidy for the service. They had written to the Government in the matter, hut had received no reply. A passenger service by the Manuka had developed and had seemed to he full of promise for the future. One condition the Government had agreed to was that in the winter the Maheno was to be withdrawn at times for overhaul. That meant six weeks. Two months ago the Manuka had been withdrawn for overhaul, and the Moeraki had been reconditioned. That only went to demonstrate that the Union Company had no desire to keep the service going. They knew what to expect every six weeks in winter time. There would he no boat connecting us with Melbourne for passenger service. He was afraid that the" arrangement entered into contained nothing but disappointment, and that they could only carry on with a determination to win. Tfce arrangements entered into by the Government should be explained, and he would read them a resolution in the matter which he had prepared, . The re- ‘ solution read: “ That this meeting of the council of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, whilst recognising the difficulty confronting the Government and the Union Steam Ship Company in the mat ter of promptly providing a steamer to replace the s.s. Manuka, emphatically protests against the Government consent ing to the Union Steam Ship Company delaying fulfilment of its contract for one year. A regular and frequent steamship service between South Island ports and Melbourne is absolutely essential for the development of South, Island tourist traffic and commerce, and this chamber therefore urges the Government to take the necessary steps to prevent any possibility of the Union Steam Ship Company being granted further exten sion beyond that already agreed to. The number of passengers travelling on the Manuka’s last trips and by the s.s. Maheno indicates that, given suitable opportunities, tourists will gladly use this route and the Government will he reimbursed by greatly increased use of its State departments, viz., railway, postal, and ■ tourist. The southern portion of this Dominion has been too long neglected by shipping interests and to a lesser extent by Governments of the day, and now demands more equal treatment and opportunity with northern ports.” Mr S. P. Cameron seconded the motion. Mr A. C. Cameron remarked that up north they had secured a boat very easily. i . I The chairman said that the Union Company should be able to fulfi} the terms of its original contract. They had only to remember the number of passengers on board the Manuka when she was wrecked. . The motion was carried.