ACROSS THE TASMAN.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1126, 13 May 1911, Page 7

ACROSS THE TASMAN.

THREE DAYS' SERVICE.

DISCUSSION AT AUCKLAND.

"NOT THE ONLY FISH IN THE

POND."

(By Telegraph.—Press • Association.) Auckland, May 12

The subject of a three-days' service between Auckland and Sydney was discussed 'by the Auckland Chamber of Commorco this'afternoon. Tho' president (Mr. Leo. Myers) read and laid upon tho rablo correspondence-which had passed between himself and tlio Union Company on the subject. His first letter to Mr. C. Holdsworth, gen-eral-manager of tho company, liad been sent in February, and was very similar to that sent later, and published. Mr. Holdsworth's reply ; to the- first letter formally acknowledged its receipt, and went on to say that it was a matter for -regret that tho Ma-heno had not loconty maintained the speed for which slm was designed, viz., fifteen' knots. On the arrival of tho new intercolonial skip, which should ho completed in August, next, tho Maheno would be taken in hand; with a view to her speed being brought up to a satisfactory standard. "After receiving Mr. Holdsworth's reply he had let the matter drop, and the Maheno did manage to run the distance in three days twenty hours, which appeared to satisfy the Union Company, but he felt ■' that in view of (the great' progress of tho Dominion •in the last twenty years the - time .had como when the distance- between Sydney and Auckland should be shortened. None of them desired to injuro the Union Company, but to suggest that becauso that company or the Suddart, Parker Company had been able to send a better class of steamer to Auckland tho people should be satisfied regardless of the time tho steamers ■ took was a thing that would not appeal to commercial men. Tho Chamber of Commerce had not, tho slightest desire to regard tho matter from a provincial standpaint. It was purely a national matter that passengers and other communication with Sydney should be mado as fast as possible, and in a way commenBurate with the progress of tho Dominion. His second letter, ivhich had been published in full had suggested that tho time of the trip should bo reduced to thrco days. Tho Moana had done the run in three days 18 hours, and there could be no reasonable objection -to accelerating the speed of vessels,, except that of cost. If tho cost, as Sir J. Mills had pointed out, was Buch that tho company could not see their way, as business men, to put faster vessels on the run, tho least they could do was to suggest what subsidy would be required to enable iho improvement to be made. As business men, the Auckland Chamber and the Wellington Chamber, and any other Chamber of Commerce would bo agreeable to recommend a reasonable subsidy for the Union or any other company to bring about a threo days' service. They could ;iot. expect luxuries, without paying for them. Ho was unable to discuss iho cost of running fast steamers, but if the company had a gnod case, it was their-duty to put it forward, and a just claim would receivo support. Ho moved: "That, whilst this Chamber recognises tho enterprise of the Union Company during tho past 25 years, - this council is of opinion that tho period has arrived when tho time occupied- b.y^mai , l' ; Bte<tmefs" ,l betwoen'" Sydney and Auckland" should" "not"

exceed three days."

In supporting 'tho motion, Mr. Guneon, said..the chamber was indebted to the president for his energetic action.. It seemed to ; beimpossible.to bring the Mahenb .up to a suitable standard. She. was' a discredit to the service now.

Mr. Gaudin .said that- the Island steamers also needed speeding up. Their cargoes often arrived spoiled, and on the last visit of the Talune 2000 cases of oranges had to be taken away and dumped overboard. Tho president said tho chamber had better devote itself to one thing a-t a time.

After some further discussion tlip president's motion was carried. Mr. Gutison moved:— "That tho P.iand 0. Company bo requested to adviso this chamber whether they can favourably consider the question of providing a weekly three-days' steam service between Auckland and Sydney." This would, he said, let tho Union B.S; Company seo that they were- not tho only fish in tho pond. (Applause.)

Mr. B. Kent seconded tho motion.

Mr. Elliott said thero was not the slightest'possiblo chance of tho P. and 0. Company" acceding to the request, ' and, : in his opinion, such a motion should not bo passed upon the spur of tho moment, for it was too serious a matter.

Tlio president'thought there was a pood deal in what Mr. Elliott said, but there would be no harm in asking tho question. Tho Union Steam Ship Company had not treated Auckland too generously, perhaps, but they would no doubt regard the motion as a threat. Mr. Gurison, in reply, said ho was wrry the adverse views expressed had oeon taken. Ho looked upon it as purely a business question, and if they could get more satisfaction from anythor company than they, received from the Lmon Steam Ship Company they should accept it. Ho admitted that tho Union Company had done great service to ISow Zealand,' but it was a business company, ami had done, well by its trade with the Dominion. He believed tio.P. and 0 Company would consider this matter, for ib was not a question of their service to Auckland as Mr. Elliott seemed to think. It was a. matter, of putting' on special ferrv steamers to rim across the Tasman Sea and that vessel would not go. Homo at nil. If ono company would not furnish such a boat and another would, whv