OUR SHIPPING SERVICES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 224, 21 March 1914, Page 4

OUR SHIPPING SERVICES.

mi ■= '.. i TOTALLY INADEQUATE: ' < DISCUSSION BY EMPLOYERS' '' ASSOCIATION. 1 The question of the inadequate ship* ping service accorded to New Plymouth especially regarding boats fronT 6outh! was the subject of a brief discussion at a general meeting of the New Ply. mouth' Employers' Association lasts - night. Mr. H. Goodacre introduced the subjeet, dealing forcibly with the inadequacy of the shipping service accorded to the town, especially in view of tha increased trade and improved harbor ' c ? nd ,'V? ns- u was » matter that should be strongly luken up. He moved the following resolution, which wa» jn accordance with a letter receive* from the New Plymouth Harbor Board :| —"That this meeting desires to express its great dissatisfaction with th<» present service ,q? steamers at thi» port, it being irregular, inadequate and uncertain, and pledges itaelf to support the Harbor Board and Ohamber of Commerce in bringing the matter before thoi shipping companies.'

Messrs. Ambury and Morey supported! Mr. Goodacre, referring to the difficulties of transhipment at Wellington. Mr. Sykes agreed with the expressions of dissatisfaction, citing instances from his own business experience to illustrate the erratic running of [ th» Corinna. On one occasion he had been informed that the Corinna would call at New Plymouth, and she had paswd the port by. The Union Company sent a boat when they thought fit. The> town was up against a big proposition, but something must be done.,,. . . ■ • Mr. Avery said that'the service used to be run according to time-table, but now it was quite uncertain whether New Plymouth got any.southern bjjjfc at all. -^C Mr. Goodacre: The service is Worn than it was -20 years ago, although, there is now four times the trade. Mr. Ambtirv said that before the Main Trunk line was put through there used to be a passenger boat service to Wei- , lington. Now there was none. Mr. Sykes said he had pointed out to> the Wellington merchants that tradewas being driven to Auckland, but they, . had seemed apathetic. Mr. Baker advocated going to bead* quarters. Mr. Ambury suggested united actio* by the Employers' Association, the Harbor ' Board, and the Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Goodacrc's resolution was carried, and the chairman and Messrs A. E. Sykes, Jas. Morey, C. E. Baker, and 'II. Goodacre were appointed a committee to act in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce and the Harbor Board in bringing the matter before the shipping companies' headquarters.