Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1929, Page 4

It will Ik? observed with gratification, rcnii!rk.s a 7)iincdin paper, that the Government has decided to call for tenders for a fortnightly steamer service between .Melbourne and tile southern ports of New Zealand. The Prime Minister has not been slow to redeem his promise to take action with a view to tlio revival of a service which proved of considerable benefit to the South Island wlimi it was formerly in operation. It is to lie hoped that the tenders will be sufficiently satisfactory to ju.sf.ify tin* Government •in accepting one of them. 'The service which was maintained by the Union Steam Ship Company was drooped by it because tho volume of trade secured by its steamers was not regarded as warranting a continuance of it. Necessarily, the effect of the withdrawal of the service was to prejudice very seriously the business of importers in the South Island, since it placed them at a gra'‘ n disadvantage with their competitors in the north who received their goods by the admirable direct services that remained at their disposal. It is a matter, therefore, of considerable ini|>ortnuce to the members of Llie mercantile community in this part of New Zealand that it should be provided willi the menus of securing their imports more frequently and more directly than lias been possible for a great many years past. The resumption of a sor-

vice from Melbourne to Bluff should, moreover, be attended by nil appreciable development of traffic to the favoiiireil scenic resorts of the South island. It "ill be u fortunate circumstance if the step which the Government has decided to take should lead to the institution of a regular service between Melbourne and the souther ports at the beginning of the next tourist season. With Sir Joseph Ward at the head of the Tourist Department, we may expect some new life being infused into departmental activities, and that following seasons should show improved results in (he matter of traffic, particularly Westlalid-wards. The attention will be “good business” for visitors are pleased invariably with the scenic glories of the district.