BLUFF SHIPPING SERVICE TO MELBOURNE AGAIN PROPOSED

Grey River Argus, 12 April 1948, Page 8

BLUFF SHIPPING SERVICE TO MELBOURNE AGAIN PROPOSED

CHRISTCHURCH, April 9 Immediate consideration of the building of a vessel of approximately 5000 tons gross with a speed of 17 knots for a combined freight and passenger service between Melbourne Bluff, Dunedin and Lyttelton is suggested by the importers’ section of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce in a report on the Bluff-Mel-bourne steamer service. The report suggests that the vessel should have accommodation for approximately 50 passengers, and says it is calculated that such a vessel would have space for approximately 2000 tons of refrigerated cargo, and 2000 tons o? general cargo. The chairman of the importers section, Mr J. R. Dench, says in the report that a circular was sent to members of the Chamber of Commerce asking what support there would be .for a combined freight and passenger service between Melbourne, Bluff Dunedin and Lyttelton. The response from many members vitally interested in traris-Tasman freights was encouraging because it disclosed not onlv ‘immediate support, but also fresh avenues for cargo so badly needed to support such a service. Among the existing exporters and importers the demand for such a service arose from the congestion of cargo in Australian ports, both directi and foreign trans-shipment, much of which importers felt could now be handled through Melbourne instead of Sydney. This aspect would require closer -investigation because in many cases it was impossible for impoiters in New Zealand to judge the true position, and they would need to inquire from their overseas principals in many cases. Mr Dench says that it is a fact that much cargo is carried by the Waitaki at present on the BluffMelbourne service, and it is felt that if this vessel were supplanted bv q modern fast vessel with very much bigger refrigerated space, the service could cater for the transport of oranges and other sub-tropical frii’t to southern New Zealand ports without the present disgraceful loss of valuable and much needed materia] The space could also be used for backloading perishable goods and whitebait when in season. With the rapid expansion of business and industry in South Australia and Victoria‘there should not be any diffiI culty in supporting the contemplated freight service.