WEST COAST TRADE.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1923, Page 4

WEST COAST TRADE.

TUNXEL. [ny TEI, KG It A Pit —PEIt I'ItESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Sept. 2A. “There is a. good deal of doubt,” says the “Post.” “as io the influence Hint, the Otira Tunnel will have on the trade of Westland, and whether it will be the means of diverting orders from Wellington to Christchurch. The Wellington Chamber of Commerce has ascertained that while there are some lines that are almost certain to go by rail, the rates on general lines will still favour carriage by steamer, particularly for those places close to the seaboard. Many orders front Westland have already gone to Christchurch without due consideration by those ordering, of the relative rates of freight, and immediately they become fully aware of this, it is certain that the trade will not be as detrimental to AVelImgton a* many imagine, “While the railway may give a more regular service, the relative cheapness of sea carriage should more than hold it- own. and if the shipping companies would but give a time-table freight service; there should lie no doubt Uinf the large trade already built up will still remain in the hands of Wellington merchants, and not go to their [southern competitors. The principal shipping companies now engaged in the trade aim to provide a bi-weekly service, and if weather, liar, and otner conditions do not unreasonably interfere with the sailings, and boats could leave Wellington on regular days, sav every Tuesday and Friday, the trade by Wellington houses should he retained and increased. “It would lie as well for the West Coast storekeepers and others to keep themselves well posted in 'the iclativo costs of securing goods from various centres, and if they do so they should in nearly all eases, prefer Wellington. Of course with sea freights charged by measurement and rail freight by weight some classes of goods are bound to be preferred, and such lines as grain, pro. dure and seeds, will be sent by rad lint on general classes of merchandise freight by measurement should lie ■ d vantageous.' -