DIRECT SHIPS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 June 1920, Page 5

DIRECT SHIPS.

VALUE TO TARANAKI.

THE COASTAL TRADE. HOW TARANAKI SUFFERS. Referring to direct shipments from Taranaki ports, to New Plymouth, Mr. A Goldwater, President of th.e Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, remarked at the annual meeting of the Chamber last night that, through ' the efforts of tha New Plymouth Harbor Board, in further extension of the harbor to accommodate more shipping, they were within a measurable distance of a regular service from the United Kingdom. The first steamer was leaving the United Kingdom in July, and he hoped that from then on tliey would have one leaving at a no less period than three months' interval, and that reduced to a shorter interval.

As president of the Chamber, Mr. Goldwater said he had called a meeting of importers, and had got into touch with the importers of other towns through their Chambers of Commerce,, and all were looking forward to the prospect of direct imports being beneficial to themselves and their customers. The delays in coast-wise shipping lately had been exceedingly bad, and oversea imports had been lying in Wellington as long as three months from their arrival at that port. That difficulty could be surmounted by the combined efforts cf the importers, whether large or small, by insisting that their consignments must come forward by direct s'teamer. America was taking a hand in direct steamers, one of their vessels arriving last month and another being due shortly. Evon by having to wait for the three months' interval of sailing from the United Kingdom importers would fare the better, as there would be greater ex* prdition, less costly freights, but more particularly saving the loss'(if'goods by damage through extra handlings and piilage. In the ensuing discussion, members agreed that it was advisable to secure a regular service from England to New Plymouth. A spasmodic service would never achieve the results desired. There was sufficient cargo available for Taranaki to warrant a regular and frequent service, CARGO HELD UP.

The holding up of Taranaki cargo at Wellington was referred to by Mr. P Stainton. Mr. Stainton said lie had recently been through the goods sheds in Wellington, and had been informed that from 1500 to 2000 tons of cargo for New Plymouth was being held up in Wellington. He remarked that one reason why more steamers were not coming to New Plymouth was because, during the -off season, the boats could not get a from New Plymouth to Wellington. The Union Company was simply bluffing them. The company would not say straight out that it did not pay to come to New Plymouth, but that was the plain truth, and until they had cargoes for Wellington, he was afraid the trouble would continue,

Mr. 8. Teed said it would help to an understanding of the. position if Mr. Stainton could tell them the reason for withdrawing the Baden Powell from the New Plymoutli-Wellington run. Mr. Stainton: Simply because it didn't pay to keep the vessel on the service. She is now on a more profitable run, getting back cargo as well as forward. If New Plymouth could offer back cargo it would be quite a different matter. Another member: We ncvef had a better service from the Union Company than when the Baden Powell and Rimu were running. When those vessels went oil so did the Union Company's. Mr. Johns said he could confirm, from personal knowledge, what Mr. Stainton snid. It really did not pay the Union Company to run one way only when there were more remunerative services available.

INDEPENDENCE SUGGESTED. The Stratford Chamber of Commerce wrote, asking to lie advised from time to time when direct shipments were expected; in order that the Chamber could enlist the support of importers in Stratford.—The Chamber decided to supply the information. Mr. List said that the time had arrived when New Plymouth, and Taranaki generally, should view the matter of coastal shipping as one vitally affecting their interests and future development. It had been said that evening that direct shipping was the remedy for the present transhipment delay and unsatisfactory coastwise service, but lie pointed out that, even with a regular direct servics established, the greater proportion of Taranaki's requirements must for many years come via Wellington, Were they to do nothing to protect their interests? Would it not pay traders to combine and render themselves independent of any shipping compaliy? (Hear, hear). Unless they acted" for themselves, like Picton, Nelson, Patea and Wanganui had done, they would remain at the mercy of interests which, naturally enough, perhaps, were not particularly concerned with Taranaki's, especially when better trade was offering elsewhere. Members proceeded to cite instances of delays and inconveniences caused by the irregular and delayed transhipments, and to state the inimical effect it had on the trade and development of the trade of Taranaki.

Mr- C. D. Lightband remarked that one of the great drawbacks to New Plymouth was the lack of cartage accommodation between the town and the harbor. It would make a very considerable difference in the cost of landing goods if they could be taken direct from the ship to the lorries on the wharf. The chairman said that the matter had not been lost sight of, and the Council had been doing and would do what it could in the matter.

Mr. W. J. Penn explained that some years ago there had been an agitation on the part of the Harbor Board to have goods for the town and the coast landed from the boats direct on to lorries, but the Railway Department intervened, and eventually bluffed the Harbor Board," by purchasing, under the Public Works Act the land fronting 011 to the wharf. In consequence of this, anyone going on the wharf had now to trespass on railway property. That was the position, and he was afraid that, until Nmv Plymouth had its larger harbor, which provided for a cartage wharf, nothing could be done.

SHIPPING CONGESTION. The discussion then turned upon the congestion at the railway goods sheds. Mr. Fred Hooker said the congestion was due, to a certain extent, to the shortage of staff. The Railway Department seemed to be either unable or unwilling to obtain sufficient men for the work. The chairman remarked that the Railjra£ Department did set