SHIPPING.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1919, Page 3

SHIPPING.

The Industries Commit tee,, referring to shipping, report as under: — The overseas trade must lie our first consideration, and the comnrttee feel that the position is one calling for immediate and elective action- The Government should, at an early date, convene a conference of producers and, importers of the Dominion, with a view to, first of all, endeavoring to come to an amicable, and fair business arrangement with the steamship companies, so that reasonable rates and passenger fare may be fixed for a period of years. If the companies refuse to enter into a satisfactory arrangement, the committee are at opinion that. the. Government should, in conjunction with our producers and importers, establish at the earliest possible moment a State line of steamers fo; the whole of our overseas trade.

With regard to the island trade, the committee urge that the Government should take steps to .bring about improved and regular steamer service between the Fijian, Samoan, and Cook Islands and the Dominion, and that an exhaustive inquiry be made by a competent business man, who should visit the Islands and report generally upon the whole question of present and future trade with a view to its expansion. There should be always a plentiful supply of tropical fruits coming to tfyis ■country, but at present we are almost cut off from this source of supply.

The committee recommend the State ownership of the ferry service between (he North and South Islands, and that the steamers employed be of the oilburning type, and be worked in conjunction with the Railway Department. The transport of coal has also been considered, and in order to complete the chain of coal supply from mine to depot, the committee declare the State ownership of coal-carrying steamers to be necessary.

Settlers using the small ports are hampered because of the infrequent and irregular steam devices. By arrangement with the existing companies, the Government should have a voice in the fixing of rates and fares charged, and the services to be run.