MAUI POMARE AGAIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 773, 20 September 1929, Page 9

MAUI POMARE AGAIN

SUGGESTED REMOVAL FROM NORFOLK SERVICE “PENALISING AUCKLAND” A strong denunciation of the Government’s proposal to remove the Maui Pomare from the Norfolk Island service and extend the ship's itinerary in the South of New Zealand, was made at yesterday’s meeting of the Chamber of Commerce Council. THE chairman, Mr. H. T. Merritt. referred to the whole service as the most lamentable excursion into the domain of private trade recorded against the Government. Members expressed apprehension that the service which had been built up between Auckland and Norfolk Island in the days of the Hinemoa. and which had grown since the Maui Pomare had been running, would be lost. Letters of protest were received from 17 local traders. The chairman said a deputation from the Chamber had waited on the Prime Minister and it was pointed out that the present vessel was not catering satisfactorily for Auckland trade and was a burden on taxpayers. It was now suggested that the ship should be cut out of the Norfolk Island trade altogether. “In asking the Government to retain the Norfolk Island service we are not upholding the principle of a Government shipping service/* said Mr. J. B. Grove. “We feel that as long as the Maui Pomare is to be run Auckland should be included in her itinerary. The small amount of trade between Auckland and Norfolk Island helps to up the loss on the service to Niue. The running of more frequent services to the South at the expense of Auckland seems hardly fair. Even if the vessel is running at a loss Auckland should have some little gain out of it.” To a questioner Mr. Grove said the Maui Pomare was not serving Auckland at all from Niue or Samoa. Auckland could export to those islands, but could not receive cargo direct in return. Thus, if an Auckland firm wanted a consignment of fruit the commodity had to be shipped to some southern port and railed or resWpped to this city. ONLY PAYING PART Mr. Grove said the Norfolk trip was the only paying part of the entire itinerary, yet it was proposed to discontinue the service. Mr. T. C. Webster: Well, they're cutting off one-third of the population of the country. Mr. Harvey Turner: As far aa Auckland is concerned 1 think it would be a very serious thing if we lost that service. Taking the Government’s figures the Norfolk Island run is showing quite a fair profit. There is no doubt the trip must pay, for the vessel takes a full load of passengers there and is also full ou returning.

The Chairman: This is an extraordinary state of affairs. We should take steps to check any movement in the South Jo penalise Auckland, u e have been hit quite enough by the Maui Pomare without suffering any more.

It was decided to send a deputation to Wellington and to write to the firms operating in the island trade with a view to concerted protest.