DIRECT SHIPPING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19801, 17 May 1934, Page 8

DIRECT SHIPPING

TIMARU’S NEEDS EXPLAINED IMPROVED SCHEDULE EXPECTED The need for adequate direct steamers from Home at convenient times to suit the requirements of Timaru importers, was emphasised at last night’s annual meeting of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce by Mr G. H. Andrews. “Direct sailings seem to be becoming less,” said Mr Andrews, who pointed out that last year only four ships came here instead of five the previous year, and that when one was most needed towards the latter part of 1933, no ship had been provided at all. Mr Andrews mentioned that he had discussed the matter with importers, who wanted to know if it would be possible to arrange for a direct steamer to touch Timaru about October or November. This year, he understood, the last ship was scheduled to call at Timaru in August, but that time was not convenient for importers. The chairman (Mr A. P. Greenfield) said that the question had been brought before the Chamber last year, and the secretary had kept a careful eye on it. The secretary 'Mr J. Leggott) said that although last year there had been four sailings instead of five, four was the usual number of sailings. When representations had first been made it was difficult to get the shipping companies to make any alteration to a schedule which had already been fixed. He had communicated with the Shipowners’ Allotment Committee in London. and it had been promised that proper consideration would be given when next season's sailings were being fixed. He followed the matter up this year and set out a schedule containing the four best periods for vessels to arrive at Timaru. The schedule was sent to the Shipowners' Allotment Committee in London and to shipping companies in Timaru, and he had been assured that not only would the matter be righted next year, but for the future also. It was hoped that in a lew months’ time the question would be fixed to the satisfaction of all concerned.