DIRECT IMPORTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 August 1920, Page 5

DIRECT IMPORTS.

ENGLAND TO NEW PLYMOUTH. DISCUSSION AT HAWERA. The question of establishing a direct import service to New Plymouth was before the Haw%ra Chamber of Commerce on Friday, when the Taranaki Chamber wrote in reference to the effort by Taranaki importers in this direction. They were asking the. different chambers to call meetings and ascertain the quantity of cargo they would be likely to require in the event of a direct service being .established. On receipt of this information it was suggested that a conference be held and a deputation appointed to wait upon the local representatives of the overseas companies with a view to establishing a regular direct service at intervals of, say, three months. If found desirable an effort eould be made for a more frequent service later. The president said an important matter was opened up. Direct exports and imports would be to their advantage, and they wanted to save freights where possible. _ Mr. Fletcher thought they should seek information from importors as to the delay caused when goods arrived in Wellington and had to be transhipped to Mr. Harrop pointed out that importers would not care to have their stuff held up till the sailing of a direct boat. The secretary said ho thought the idea at New Plymouth was that the boat making the voyage direct to New Plymouth should carry cargo for that port only, the same to apply when making the homeward trip. The president considered this absurd. He thought it best for representatives of the Chamber fo meet the local importers and discuss the position with them. Mr. Sutton pointed out that it would be very difficult for any importer to say what goods they could offer for carriage by the direct service. | ! The president said it was intended to put on another boat for the Patea trade, |and this would relieve the position greatly. Mr. Sutton, to show the expense and inconvenience importers were sometimes called upon to undergo through delays in shipping from Home ports, mentioned that a parcel of wire which their agents wished to ship by the Weßtmeath from J Liverpool was refused railage by the Government to that port. This meant that the consignment had to" be barged from the warehouse at Gloucester to Bristol, and thence by coastal steamer to Liverpool. Although the wire left Bristol in good timo it was too late, owing to a storm, to catch the Westmeath. The dock authorities refused to allow the wire to lie, on the quay to await the next steamer, and it had to be taken back to the warehouse. This meant to the consignee an additional cos:; of over £7. Mr. Sutton pointed out that if they were to rely on a direct service such experiences as these might often be repeated. It was decided that Mr. Sutton intervjsw the local importers anu obtain their v|ews on the proposal.