DIRECT SHIPMENTS.

Southland Times, Issue 18837, 2 June 1920, Page 4

DIRECT SHIPMENTS.

The enthusiasm displayed at the meeting of local importers yesterday with regard to direct shipments from the Old Country to Bluff is an augury for success, but as more than one speaker pointed out, it will be necessary to secure the co-operation of all houses doing business with British firms at the present time in order to ensure that a minimum of 800 tons of cargo is ready for August loading. It should not be difficult to convince business people and the public of the benefits that will accrue from the discharge of Invercargill cargo from the Home boats at Bluff instead of at some other port in the dominion. One speaker stated yesterday that the difference in cost between local cargo landed at Bluff and at Port Chalmers was £206 on a hundred tons, and this means a saving on a cargo of 800 lons of £IO4B in charges, apart from the loss due to vexatious delays in transshipment which is sometimes a considerable item. We are told that based upon the imports to Invercargill last year the use of direct steamers to Bluff will represent a saving of £48,000 in twelve months to the people of Southland. This is a fairly large sum, but it is extremely probable that the saving in the coming year will be higher. Quite apart from ordinary merchandise wc may expect to have heavy importations in connection with the hydro-electricity scheme end a goodly portion of them will come from the Old Country. To land these at Bluff and eliminate transhipment charges will be of advantage to the entire province. These few points are enough to convince us that it is to the best interests of the province and to the various trading concerns doing business here to ensure the discharge of Home-laden cargo at Bluff and we do not think that anybody in this part of the world will neglect this opportunity for doing something practical for our common good. There are no great difficulties in the way, hut there is certainly need for quick and enthusiastic co operation. The August shipment is vital because if the guarantee of 800 tons is not fulfilled, the chances of getting a direct boat on any but a much larger minimum will be remote. The meeting yesterday went to work in a practical manner and wo have the utmost confidence in prophesying success for its project.