The “Maui Pomare”

Government Will Not Sell Claims On Behalf of Service

THE Prime Minister of New Zealand in replying to inquiries made by the Auckland Chamber of Com merce, has stated that there is no intention of inviting tenders for the purchase of the service carried on with the Government steamer, “Maui Pom are,” and that a shipping service direct from Samoa and Niue to southern parts of New Zealand, with insulated accommodation for fruit cargoes, is regarded by the Government as a per manent necessity.

The Prime Minister further stated that the payment of a subsidy to any private enterprise that may offer to take over the service would in no cir cumstances be considered, and that there was no intention on the part of the Government to sacrifice the vessel, which was running to a satisfactory timetable.

The South Island of New Zealand, apparently, is not slow to recognise the value of the direct connection the ves sel affords with Island ports, and the recent suggestion, emanating from Auckland, that the vessel should be sold, has met with an emphatic protest from trading interests from Christ church to the Bluff.

The Government’s attitude in con nection with this service has been clearly defined from time to time and has remained consistent since the in auguration of the service three years ago—namely that unless or until pri vate enterprise supplies an equivalent service, with satisfactory guarantees as to its continuance, the Government in tends to continue its operations.

Despite the difficulties of the past the vessel has certainly rendered a very useful service. She has put Niue “on the map” by giving to that island its first regular service and thus enabled a banana trade to be developed. With her advent, the banana trade with Samoa became possible and has de veloped until, in the words of the Administrator of Samoa, it has be come “a most valuable trade, the ces sation of which would cause great loss, monetary and otherwise, to Samoa and, incidentally, to New Zealand.”

The Norfolk Island service was also pioneered by the Cook Islands Depart ment during the last few years and developed by the “Maui Pomare” into a prosperous trade, which has now been taken up by private enterprise The future operations of the “Maui Pomare” service will be watched with interest. The vessel has certainly been dogged with ill luck. But there are many who commend the Government’s enterprise in opening up new avenues of trade; persistence in maintaining the service in face of obstacles; and leading the way in providing insulated stowage for its perishable cargo when private enterprise would provide no thing better than general cargo ac commodation.

The total population (both European and native) of Niue Island, at Decem ber 31, 1930, was: Males, 1,828; females, 2,006; a total of 3,834.