BLUFF-AUSTRALIA SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2284, 19 October 1914, Page 7

BLUFF-AUSTRALIA SERVICE

TJ.S.S. COMPANY'S REASONS FOR CURTAILMENT. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Dunedin, October 17. There has been some comment lately in business circles in regard to the curtailment of the intercolonial between the southern ports of New Zealand and Australia. The Union Company pointed out, in response to inquiries, that tho war has disorganised trade in many ways, there being a reduction both in passenger and cargo traffic. Shipments from Sydney and Melbourno were largely transhipments from German and French vessels from tho East and other places. These had practically ceased. There had also been a falling-off in exports to Australia. Apart from the effects of tho war, trade between tho Bluff and Dunedin and Australian ports had been meagre for somo time, tho reason being that a great proportion of tho export trado is now being diverted to direct steamers trading to. the Continent and America, and this had had an adverse effect on tho intercolonial trade, which previously had benefited 'owing to tho fact that it was greatly-'used for transhipment purposes. In addtion, tho Australian markot was not now so good as it was before tho establishment of the Commonwealth owing to the abolition of State duties. Tho present service, however, was only tentative, and representatives of shipping companies were now conferring with a view to inaugurating a service, details of which would be probably available next wcok.