TRADE WITH WAIKATO

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19504, 3 February 1926, Page 5

TRADE WITH WAIKATO

QUESTION OF DEVELOPMENT. DISCUSSION BY CHAMBER OE COMMERCE The question of the development of direct trade with the Waikato was discussed at Monday night’s meeting of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce, when a considerable amount of data in regard to the matter was presented. A communication was received from a prominent Hamilton resident expressing pleasure at the fact that the Chamber was taking an active part in promoting the steamship service between the port of Wanganui and Hamilton. It was pointed out that the Hamilton Chamber for the past ten years had been advocating the greater use of their waterway as a means of reducing transport charges. To-day they had a regular steamer service between Cambridge and Hamilton and Port Waikato, connecting and transshipping cargoes inside the heads. The Wanganui body would no doubt open up correspondence with the Hamilton Chamber with a view to fostering an efficient and economical steamship service between the respective towns. Captain Holm stated that the question of the service was by no means a new one, and his company had had vessels running to the Waikato for the past two years. Other companies had been operating for longer periods, although there had not been trade with the local port to any great extent. The boats, however, had called here from time to time. It would not pay to call at the port for loads less than 50 tons. They certainly were not going to call here for only two or three tons. They could not afford to put the vessels into the port if there was not the trade. Time after time they had gone past Wanganui. The service in the past had even run every sixth week, and in future it would be monthly.

Mr Goodey expressed surprise at the fact that Captain Holm placed the minimum load at 50 tons, when he had gone to Dunedin for two or three tons. If the minimum was placed at that figure they might as well cut the trade out. If he made it less, a lot of trade from Hamilton would come to Wanganui and vice versa. The Waikato people, he found, were anxious to develop the trade. Mr W. Brown remarked that until they got the harbour completed the development of such a trade was going to be held in check. At present they received the bulk of their shipments through Wellington. When they had boats bringing direct cargoes to the port ,<th(‘n w’ould be the chance to develop'’ the Waikato trade. Captain Holm remarked that there were other facilities besides his own. Some boats were trading here fortnightly. If they had to call in for a few tons only the trade would only kill itself. If, however, they handled the new trade carefully it would probably develop. Mr Goodey said that if the service was given more publicity more manufacturers would be encouraged to use the service. He quoted an instance where a saving had been effected. A certain Hamilton firm at present received goods from Wanganui by the Onehunga route, and it cost them 29s in freight. The Waikato service would reduce the landed cost to 245. The letter was eventually received and the discussion lapsed.