MATSON LINE STEAMERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 189, 12 August 1931, Page 8

MATSON LINE STEAMERS

PROPOSED NEW SERVICES SEAMEN’S UNION OBJECTION [ Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, Aug. 11. Exception to the entry of the Matson Shipping Line and other highly subsidised cheap labour lines into the island and intercolonial trade was taken by a deputation from the Federated Seamen’s Union of New Zealand which waited upon the Prime Minister this evening. The deputation stated that at the present time in New Zealand waters there was no less than 70,000 tons of idle shipping which, in commission, would give employment to over 1000 seafarers, and the entry of the Matson Line would intensify the position so far as they were concerned. The Prime Minister stated that the matter was under consideration by the Government.

The deputation was introduced by Mr P. Fraser. Messrs C. H. Chapman and W. E. Parry were also present. The general president of the union, Mr F. P. Walsh, said that the deputation had been directed by stop-work meetings of the members held at Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton and Dunedin to approach the Government in order to state their objection to the Matson and other lines entering into the island and intercolonial trade. The enactments for the protection of the American maritime industry were quoted by Mr Walsh. The Matson ships, he said, were already enjoying a huge subsidy for their present service between San Francisco and Sydney, and they would get still more when calling at Auckland. In addition, the Matson company was building three 20.000-ton vessels for the trans-Pacific trade, on which the United States Government was lending it £2,280,000 for 20 years on a rate of interest of only 3| per ceot. For the building of the first two of the vessels the subsidy and interest would aggregate £528,000 annually. Taking into consideration the wages and working conditions of the seamen, the American standard was 40 per cent, lower than that ruling in New Zealand.

Mr Walsh quoted resolutions passed by the farmers and chambers of commerce opposing the entry of the Matson Line into the Pacific and intercolonial trade.

In reply, the Prime Minister stated that there had been other representations in respect to the running of the Matson Line, and that matter was now under consideration. Ho could not say anything further at the present juncture, but no doubt later on he would be able to reply to the representations the deputation had made to him.