SHIPPING SERVICE.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 362, 17 February 1937, Page 3

SHIPPING SERVICE.

DUTCH EAST INDIES. High Hopes For Reciprocal Trade. I Press Association—copyright. Auckland, February 15. i High hopes for the development of extensive reciprocal trade botween New Zealand and the Dutch East 11 Indies are held by Mr A .Bakker, general manager for Australia and Neiy Zealand of the Royal Packet Navigation Company Dutch Line, I which v.’i-H shortly extend its steamer j services from the East to the DoI minion. Mr Bakker arrived at Auckland by the Awatea' to complete ar- ' rangements for the new extended service. ! Mr Bakker said his company at i present ran a service from Saigon to Sydney, via Java, New Guinea, and Noumea, the vessel on the run being the steamer Van Rees. However, a new motor-ship, the Maatsuycker, had been built and was now on her ‘Way from Europe, and she would inaugurate the extended service, sail- I ing from the East in April and arriving at Auckland on May 6. According to present arrangements, the itinerary of the Maatsuycker would be from Saigon to Singapore, Batavia, Samarang, Sourabaya, Port Moresby, Samara.!, Rabaul, Port Vila, Noumea, Auckland Wellington and Sydney. From. Sydney the vessel would return to -Saigon, via Port Moresby. Sourabaya, Samarang, Batavia and Singapore, the round trip occupying about two months. The Van Rees would sail regularly from Batavia for Samarang, Soura- ' baya. Port Moresby, Auckland, Wei- I lington and Sydney, and would re- I turn via the same ports, concluding | her trip at Singapore. Her rpunJ I voyage would also occupy about two ! months, with the result that the two vessels jointly would maintain a regular monthly service between the principal ports of the Dutch East Indies and Auckland and Wellington. “At present there is only one I steamer trading regularly between New Zealand and the East," Mr Bakker said, “and I understand that there are only three or four trips a year. By providing a regular month- ! ly service we hope to build up a I greater measure of reciprocal trade. | I am confident that a large market j can be developed in the East for New ' Zealand goods, principally foodstuffs. ■ and there are malny taw materials exported from the Dutch East Indies vbhich are of use in New Zealand.” Mr Bakker said the Maatsuycker had accommodation for about 60 tons of refrigerated cargo. The Van Rees had no insulated space, but if trade from New Zealand developed it would j be provided. The Maatsuycker would I carry about 80 saloon passengers and I the Van Rees about 50. Under no i circumstances did the company in- ■ tend to engage in the passenger or 1 cargo trade between Australia and i New Zealand.