AN EXTRA STEAMER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16814, 17 August 1922, Page 6

AN EXTRA STEAMER.

The conference which was held regarding the oversea shipping service to South Island ports has reason to be satisfied with the result of its representations. In the past the South has been neglected, and it has accumulated a small list of substantial grievances. The North Island (lias been regarded as the natural shipping oentre of the Dominion, and consequently the necessities of the South have been overlooked. We have had to be content with transhipments instead of direct services, with the result that extra expenses have been incurred and valuable time has been lost. The new arrangement with the Union Steam Ship Company may be the forerunner of better days. The company thas provided a second steamer to run regularly between Sydney and South Island ports. The Waikouaiti and Whangape will leave Sydney alternately about every two weeks, one coming to South Island ports via the Bluff, and the other via Lyttelton. In addition to this the Paloona will continue her three-weekly connection from the Bluff. There are some hopes that trade between Australia and New Zealand will expand as the result of the recent reciprocity agreement. We are rather doubtful about it, as the preferential tariff is hardly wide enough in its scope to make a very appreciable difference. There should t>e a natural expansion as production in both countries increases, and the mere provision of better shipping facilities should have a marked effect. The success which has been achieved on this occasion should encourage South Island business men to continue their efforts to secure further measures of shipping justice for this part of the Dominion.