THE MAUI POMARE.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1929, Page 8

THE MAUI POMARE.

Those who see in State control of production, transport and exchange the shortest road to the millenium will find cold comfort in the record of the Stateowned vessel, the Maui Pomare. The decision to purchase a vessel for the island trade was made by the Reform Government when it was confronted with a demand for a substantial subsidy if the service was to be maintained by private enterprise. Further, a definite schedule of voyages was stipulated for which did not include visits to South Island ports. Deferring to representations that direct shipments to Canterbury and Otago would stimulate trade with the islands, the Ministry decided to purchase a vessel for the island trade. It would have seemed only commonsense to have appointed someone who knew the whole of the conditions under which the vessel would be working to supervise its design and construction. But the special technical committee set up to inquire into the unsatisfactory service obtained from the vessel find that it was ordered in almost a haphazard fashion. Tenders were called in England on rough plans and specifications, and the contract for the vessel was let in New Zealand. The committee adds the somewhat aciid but thoroughly justifiable comment that “under these methods of purchasing a vessel it is to be expected that an owner will be called on to face considerable outlay in the early part ot her career.” There has been no doubt about the heavy costs, for there has scarcely been a voyage completed without the vessel requiring considerable overhau. Worst of all, delays and breakdowns of machinery have defeated the object for which the vessel was obtained. The unfortunate fruitgrowers in the islands have either lost their cargoes altogether or have had them landed in a depreciated condition that has meant very ow returns. The nett result of the year s socialistic effort is a loss of at least £4OOO to the State, without presumably allowing for interest and depreciation on the expensive vessel, and no better returns to those who sent cargoes y ei * It is no wonder a harassed Prime Minister says the Maui Pomare is for sale. The only good that may come out of the unfortunate experiment is the . plain lesson that dabbling in State shipping experiments must be attended by heavy losses which have to be borne y ax payers.