BLUFF STEAMER SERVICE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18650, 20 August 1930, Page 6

BLUFF STEAMER SERVICE.

MINISTER REPLIES TO FARMERS’ UNION. By Telegraph—Pr*"»R Anor'-atlon WELLINGTON, August 19. A resolution passed by the Southland executive of the Farmers’ Union, that the value of the Bluff-Melbourne shipping service did not, particularly in these stringent times, warrant Government expenditure on it, drew a reply from the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle), who was associated with Sir Joseph Ward in establishing the service. The Minister referred in particular to the remarks made by Mr W. J. A. McGregor, who stated that, notwithstanding a subsidy of £39,000, the service had shown a loss of £9BOO, and that the Union Company was strong enough to carry on without a subsidy. “I am quite certain,” said Mr Perrelle, “that if the gentlemen present at the meeting were fully posted as to the facts, they would not have passed the resolution which has been published. When the original agreement was entered into with the Union Company, making it possible for the Manuka and Maheno to carry out an eight days’ service between Bluff and Melbourne, the subsidy from the Government was fixed at £36,000 per annum. Unfortunately, just after arrangements were entered into, the Manuka was lost, and this information the Farmers’ Union had not before it. No part of the £36,000 was paid. I look upon the Bluff-Melbourne service as being the most important connection with Australia and New Zealand, and as Minister of Tourist and Publicity Departments I want to see both Islands get their share of patronage. The arrangement at present is that the Maheno will be making regularly a three-weekly service between Bluff and Melbourne, and afterwards proceed up the coast as far as Wellington, later returning to Bluff, from which port she will make her departure for Melbourne. The subsidy paid by the Government to the Union Company is £SOO per month, or £6OOO per annum. I think that money is well spent to give the South Island a shipping service in line with that of the North Island. All along the Southland League and other prominent bodies have urged that, viewing the importance of the service, every endeavour should be made to obtain direct contact with Bluff and Melbourne. Quite apart from tourists between Melbourne and Bluff, there is the fish industry to be considered, which is an important factor. Since taking Ministerial control of the Tourist and Publicity Departments, I have found that tourists consider the attractions of both Islands, and southerners are pleased that the Southern Lakes district comes very prominently in the tours arranged.”