COASTAL SHIPPING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22259, 11 May 1934, Page 10

COASTAL SHIPPING

TRANSPORT BOARD'S INQUIRIES ANXIETY AMONG OWNERS The opinion that it was unfair that companies should be asked to furnish detailed information with respect to their activities was' expressed yesterday by officials whose views were sought .on the action of the Transport Board m circulating among owners a questionnaire with respect to the operations of coastal snipping services in the Dominion. ■ It was stated in one quarter that the coastal trade had been practically stifled, as a large proportion of the trade hud already been diverted to the railways. This was clearly ehown by • the small amount of cargo now carried by the coastal boats between Dunedin, Oamaru, Timaru, and Lyttelton. While shipping officials were cautious in expressing opinions, it was obvious that they are greatly by the action of the board, and that they are looking forward with anxiety to the outcome of its inquiries. CONTENTS OF CIRCULAR. The board, in its circular to the shipping companies, quotes the clause in the Transport Law Amendment Act which gives it the statutory authority to make the inquiry, -and goes on to state:— "At its first meeting recently the board decided, as a preliminary step in its activities, to make a comprehensive survey of the whole transport system ot the Dominion, and at the same time to make itself acquainted with the existing knowledge on the problem, which experience and practice has no doubt accumulated within the transport industry. The board recognises that access to this vast store of knowledge will be of the utmost importance in enabling it to discharge the far-reaching functions which have been imposed on it by the Legislature. It therefore seeks your co-operation as an operator in the transport field, and invites you to submit any information you may have which would be ot assistance to the board in investigating any aspect of the whole transport problem or of your particular branch of the in- " The board is anxious to obtain facts and figures regarding, the I»?nta «i™«£ ated on a questionnaire, which has been specially drawn up for the purpose. We should be very fateful if you would kindly complete the attached copy of the questionnaire and forward it, along with any other information, you maycare to furnish, for consideration by the board at. your earliest convenience, and, if possible, not later than May 31, 1934, . U there are any add tional points, on which you can -furnish information the board would be very glad if you would deal with them also in your reply. ■ _ "" " The board recognises that the completion of the questionnaire fill .involve quite a considerable amount of your valuable time. It «^t however that you will view the matter in the light of a public duty, and as a valuable contribution towards the solution of one of the Dominion's . major economic problems at a crucial time. THE BOARD'S INQUIRIES.

The questions which the companies are asked to answer are as follows: Please furnish copies of the revenue accounts and balance sheets of your company for the last five years. Please complete an attached s u PP} e * mentary data sheet" in respect of each vessel- operated by your company in coastal shipping during the last five Set out your ideas regarding the extent of competition in the shipping industry and its effect on your company. What arc your views regarding competition between motor transport and, the railways and coastal shipping services, and its effect on your company. Can you suggest any schemes tor tne co-ordination of coastal shipping with tbe railways and motor transport services?. State your views regarding, the narrate system "-i.e., the * M »»f h same overseas freight from different ports in the Dominion. Have you any suggestions to make regarding improvements, in the organisa-, fion and working of the harbours in the the scales of freight charges observed by your company, together with full details regarding the basis of the charges and all cases where special' rates are given. . Give details of improvemenkrm the design and mechanical equipment of ships in your company's service during recent years. .