SOUTH ISLAND SHIPPING

Hokitika Guardian, 24 October 1924, Page 4

SOUTH ISLAND SHIPPING

CONFERENCE AT DUNEDIN: nY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. DUNEDIN, October 23. At a eiinleieiiee of South Island Shipping interests, representing the Chambers of Commerce, importers, exporters, and producers, was held today to discuss ways and means for improving the services to the Sir'th Island from overseas and also coastal. Re, iresen ta lives were present from Christchurch, Ashburton, Tiinaru, Invercargill and Dunedin. It was pointed out that importers and exporters suffered through unsatisfactory shipping facilities. Motions were carried as follows:—-

(I) That in the interests of the producers and consumers, exports should lit* loadetl at the nearest deep water berth direct into overseas steamers, and imports landed from the United Kingdom and deep water ports nearest to the consumers.

(2 ) That a definite time-table should he prepared for steamers leaving the United Kingdom carrying cargo solely for Soulli Island ports, such time-table to he based oil population basis for the province's named and that a regular time-table for vessel:; should he arranged to lift produce from South Island ports direct for the United Kingdom.

IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS. DUNEDIN. Oct. 2:b An important conference of South Island business men was held to-day for the purpose of discussing the facilities of the South Island. Many public bodies were represented. Mr Peter Barr (President of the Chamber of Commerce) occupied the chair. The following resolutions were carried : “That the interests of producers and consumers, it should he accepted, as a definite principle that exports should he loaded at the nearest deep water berth directly into overseas steamers, and similarly imports should he landed from United Kingdom steamers at the deep water port nearest the consumer.”

“That, if practicable, it is very desirable that a definite time table should he laid clown for steamers leaving the United Kingdom ports, and carrying cargo solely for the South Island [Kiris. Such a time table could Ik* drawn up. based on a population basis, for the provinces named." The Chairman said that “If practical. it was desirable that a regular time table service of steamers should he arranged to lift shipments direct from the South Island ports to the United Kingdom ports. He quoted figures relating to dairy export from New Zealand, anil said that there was a need for regular sailings. TTe showed that Auckland, with its service, had a far shorter delay in getting its produce away than southern ports. He also referred to the position in regard to meat export. “That the intercolonial shipping service between Sydney and southern ports is very unsatisfactory, being irregular, and not sufficiently frequent to secure the development of trade and passenger traffic. The service, also between Mellxnirne and Bluff and other soutelirn ports, with one steamer alternately passing north and south, can never secure a redevelopment of

the trade and passenger traffic which formerly existed prior to the war period. and should be improved by reverting to the prewar arrangements, and that during the summer months, steamers call at Milford to land passengers from Melbourne.” “That the Coastal shipping to and from the ports of the Dominion is irregular and uncertain. The trade should he done by smaller boats, at more frequent intervals, and on a regular and reliable timetable so trade and passenger traffic may be developed as it certainly would be under more favourable conditions.”