ARISE IN THE SHIPPING RATES

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1746, 10 May 1913, Page 6

ARISE IN THE SHIPPING RATES

UNION COMPANY PUNS. SIR JAMES MILLS INTERVIEWED. (By Telegraph.-Frcßj *sioolation.) Auckland, May 0. Tho Managing Director of tho Unioi) Steam Ship Company (Sir James Mills) arrived in Auckland this morning by tho Niagara. When interviewed Sir James Mills discussed some important proposals affecting tho Union Company's steamer St to which, he said, would very probably bo given effect in the near future. In reply to an inquiry os to what steps tho company intended taking to cope with tlio expected influx of oversea visitors-to Auckland in connection with the Exhibition, Sir James Mills said that by that time larger passenger steamers would doubtless bo running. lie staled that it was intended to withdraw tho Maheno from tho Auckland-Sydney running for the purpose of undergoing an extensive overhaul at Port Chalmers. The company had decided to have installed in this vessel tho newest type of gear in turbine engines. Allied what arrangements wero to bo made to relieve the Maheno, Sir Jams Mills remarked that nothing definite had yet been decided, but it was probable that tho Maunganui, at present engaged on tho Sydney-Wellington-Melbourne run, would be put dn between Auckland and Sydney f or the time beinp. Ono of tho most interesting developments in connection with New Zealand passenger services, Sir James Mills said, was, perhaps, that the Union Company nad chartered the Adelaide Steam Ship Company's new passenger steamer Wiljochra, a vessel of about 8000 tons, to relieve tho Warrimoo in tho Melbournetook Strait-Sydney service. It was also likely, lie stated, that the Willochra. would make an occasional trip in one of tho company's Pacific Slope services. This, however, would not occur until the Maheno's overhaul had been completed, and the Mauuganui had boon rejriaced in the Sydney-Cook Strait running. Tho eyes of New Zealand exporters have been turned with considerable interest of late towards West of England ports, which have been shown to offer special advantages for tlio distributing of tho Dominion's products. So much cargo has bpen offering lierc for those ports that it has been found necessary to bring additional steamers from Australia to cope with the cxcess. Recently the Union Steam Ship Company purchased tho steamers Tyrone, Westvncatli, Roscommon, and Limerick from the New Zealand Shipping Company. The latter had only a short wliile before taken this quartet over from tho Federal, Boulder, and Shire line. They have always been in tlio West of England trade, and while with the New Zealand Shipping Companv they flew the Federal flag, Sir .lames Mills stated this mornilig that tlio vessels would continue to run under that flag, and in that service in the interests of the Union Company. He further stated that the export trade to tho West of England ports promised to show a great development and would bo catered for accordingly. Questioned as to_ whether passengor fares and cargo freights aro likely to be put up, Sir James Mills expressed tlio opinion that this was inevitable in view: of tho persistent increases in the cost of working steamers under Australasian awards. "Last year," said Sir James Mills, "our working expenses increased to the extent of £100,000, and so far the charges have not gone up to nnything liko a proportionate degree. It must come, though, sooner or later." Sir James Mills said that at present he was unable to givo a more definite indication of what was likely to occur in this direction.

CHANGES IN STEAMERS. (By Tologra.pli.—Special Correspondent.) Auckland, May 9. In the course of an interview to-day Sir James Mills mentioned that tho choice of n passenger steamer to succeed tho Victoria betiveen Auckland and Sydney would appear to lio between tho Eivcrina; and the Ulimaroa. ' If tlio latter is selected, her present running in tho Wei- . lington-Sydney trade will be taken .up by the Riverina. The Victoria is expected to ) (;o into the New Zealand coastal service', running as an intermediate boat between • Auckland and Dunedin, With respect to the Wimmera, present indications are. that she will bo retained in tho AucklandSydney running. The Warrimoo, now ' running between Wellington and Sydney, is also likely to be relegated to tho coastal ; trade of the Dominion.