WAR MEASURE

Evening Star, Issue 23697, 3 October 1940, Page 8

WAR MEASURE

PORT WAIKATO TRANSFERRED ESSENTIAL SERVICES CO-ORDINATION SCHEME Commandeered by the Defence Department, the absence of several coastal vessels from their normal duties -has compelled the companies maintaining these services to* rearrange' and coordinate the running of the remaining ships with a view to keeping alive the most essential trades. Because of this the Watchlin Line motor vessel Port Waikato, of 685 tons, has been temporarily withdrawn from the DunedinAuckland trade for transfer to service between the West Coast of the South Island and Onehunga. This is the first change of this typo made effective at Dunedin involving a coastal trader. The Port Waikato has been serving Tauranga., Auckland, and Whangarei. On account of her suitability for its handling the vessel is to be utilised for the transportation of timber, principallv white pine for butter boxes, from tho West Coast. As the export of butter is au essential war measure, it is absolutely necessary that full supplies of boxes should be made available. Thus the Port Waikato has been transferred; as soon ns is possible, however, her owners intend to resume the normal service to Auckland.

This arrangement, it should be noted, is the outcome of a mutual agreement between the companies concerned and Government representatives.