SHORT OF SHIPS
RESTRICTION IN SEA SERVICES DECLINE IN TONNAGE.. "One of tho most serious problems iii tho commercial world to-day is tho shortage of shipping," says the annual report of tho Wellington Chamber of Commerce. "The withdrawal of a very largo number of British ships for use as auxiliary cruisers,, transports, and other services consequent upon tho war and the ravages of submarine warfare, has resulted in very serious restriction of , tho shipping facilities. Many steamers, some formerly regular traders to New Zealand, and others previously engaged .'■ in the intercolonial trade, whoso names are familiar to all, havo been taken over by tho Admiralty or aro employed as hospital ships or transports.
"In. Now Zealand during ' tho past year tho problem of sea transport for our exports was a difficult one, hut it is very satisfactory to noto that tho Shipping Committee, which regulates shipping movomonts, was successful in providing sufficient space to lift ultimately all last year's prodlice. Delays in shipment were inevitable; preference being given to foodstuffs and wool, while somo classes of goods (hemp, for instance) had often to wait months before space was obtainable. Our wool was .wanted to supply the mills of Yorkshire for- clothing for troops, whilo our foodstuffs wore required both for the Army and for the civil population of the Old Country. Tho Imperial Government, our own Government, and the shipping companies themselves comuined in seeing that shipping space was provided. "Both tho intercolonial and coastal services-have been restricted, and there wcro. times during the past year W'hcn it was. impossible for southern shippers to obtain, spaco for fodder and similar products sold . to the Commonwealth. Shipping freights the world over have increased enormously; freights to_ tho ■United Kingdom., on' the ' Dominion's pixxhicts have increased in sympathy— in some instances the rate of increase being 200 por cent, to 300 per cent, on pre-war rates/Intercolonial freights, considerably higher than previously, havo not boon increased in tho same proportion. Vessels of all kinds which were deemed to have been long past servico have been' refitted■■- as freighters, and become profit-earning. "There have been more than the usual proportion of losses and-accident3 to _vessels, trading to ' the Dominion,, while our enemies have taken toll of others, among them modern, vossels specially, built for the New Zealand trade, notably the .Otaki' and the Rotriroa'. / .
"Stiangoly enough, notwithstanding the.war, there have been few years in which more new services to New Zealand havo beerf inaugurated. Following tho large increase in trade between Australasix and Japan, ,tbo Japanese companies sent officials to report on the prospects' of success'of a legular service between New Zealand and Japan. Tho large Japanese Shipping Company known as' the Nippon Yusan Kaisha, which.'has been trading between Australia and the East for many years, decided to extend its cargo service to this country. The first full cargo of Eastern merchandise armed in 'Wellington in August last, and it is understood that this company will probably continue a two-monthly service Another company which has lad rjs representatives making inq lines m New Zealand has been the Osaka Shoscn Kaisha) and_ the first steamer in this line will arrive in' New Zealand shortly.. The difficulty presenting itself to the Japanese shipping companies appeal 5 to be that there is freight offering from Japan to Australia and Now Zealand, but from NewZealand, particularly, it is at the pre-' sent time, at any .rate, almost impossible to get a back loading.
"The past year has also seen important developments in the shipping services between tho Dominion and the United States of America. The Luckenbach Lineywith a fleet of .first-class cargo steamers, has • inaugurated a regular service from New York to tho principal ports of the Dominion. Another important feature has been the development in the trade by cargo steamers between the AVesten; Coast of America and New .Zealand. ■ ' 'So far as .shipping in our own city is concernedj it is interesting to note that one shippings firm has during the past eighteen months purchased three very well-known sailers, which art trading to and fro from New Zealand ports. . "Owing war, there has been a marked decline'in the number and tonnage of mercantile vessels arriving, but thi,s has not meant any decline in the volume of trade, record figures having been reached in imports, transhipments, wool shipments, and shipments of frozen meat and dairy produce. The board 1 and the port experienced a:prosperous year. The .board's programme of work has, in consequence of the difficulty, in obtaining materials, proceeded at a much. ._ slower, rate than usual. The works in progress or completed during the year included:—Additions to wool jetty and 'L' shed, additions to cheese store 'Z, 1 additions to Day's Bay wharf,, concrete piles for Pipitea AVharf, refrigerating machinery for cheese store 'Z,' Waterloo Quay, reinforced 'concrete breastwork, reclamations at To .Aro and AVaterloo Quay' North." .. '.
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Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3058, 20 April 1917, Page 4
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810SHORT OF SHIPS Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3058, 20 April 1917, Page 4
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