SHOWING A SILVER LINING

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1056, 21 August 1930, Page 8

SHOWING A SILVER LINING

IF the sorry record of the Government motor-ship Maui Pomare were not known throughout the length and breadth of the country, the report of the Cook Islands Department to March 31 of this year doubtless would fulfil official intentions by giving rise to a general feeling of complacency and satisfaction. In announcing that the vessel has “proved her usefulness and given no further trouble during the year,” the department, quoting figures relating to the amount of fruit and general merchandise carried in the period, asserts that only one-half of one per cent, of fruit was lost, and adds: “The performance of the Maui Pomare -over the year has demonstrated that she is capable of giving good and useful service.”

The effect of the report, however, is likely to be the opposite of that intended by the Government. In hastening to display a silver lining hi the Maui Pomare enterprise—one that has completely discredited the State in shipping circles as a business institution—the department has emphasised the dark cloud of lost opportunity that lies behind. It is not suggested, of course, that there should be any lack of frankness in putting the position before the public, but the fact remains that the stubborn conceit permeating the report, in view of past circumstances, is misleading and inexcusable. The arguments presented in the form of cargo tonnages are valueless in assessing the worth of the motor-ship’s service for the year, because they cannot be heeded in the absence of information as to the total amount of cargo available during the whole period, assuming that an uninterrupted service was maintained. Similarly the remarkable statement that only one-lialf of one per cent, of fruit was lost might seem less remarkable if compared with the money that was lost on fruit partially spoiled and sold at a fraction of its original worth. Clearly the report indicates what might have been. If “a valuable fruit trade with Samoa has been made possible” and “the Niue trade has been given considerable impetus” under the irregular conditions that have existed. New Zealand taxpayers may reflect upon the probable excellence of the results with an efficient ship under efficient departmental administration. Today the only cause for surprise and negative satisfaction lies in the knowledge that the loss on the year’s working was only £5,000. It is to be noted, also, that' the department’s optimism extends toward the future. Yet on the report’s own showing, it is difficult to share in this feeling. “The Maui Pomare is capable of giving good and useful service.” But, in the same breath, “certain inherent weaknesses in design remain.” It is true that the department, backed by its Technical Advisory Committee, has done what it can in a mechanical way to enable the vessel to perform her duties, but nothing has been said with certainty to assure the country that the troubles of the Government’s Islands trading enterprise are at an end. On the contrary the report conveys a decided suggestion of doubt and disinclination to face facts. In fairness to Islands exporters and New Zealand importers, an authoritative estimate of the Maui Pomare’s future capabilities should he made.