Oceanic Trans-Pacific
p. 11 · Read in the full issue
More Freighters
Oceanic Trans-Pacific Service
A MORE frequent cargo service be tween the United States and Aus tralia is expected from the recent of financial aid by the United States Government to the Oceanic Steam ship Company, of San Francisco, to as sist it in meeting foreign competition.
This company, a subsidiary of the Matson Navigation Company, is one of the six which last year sought new or modified subsidies on Pacific services and is the first to receive aid from the United States Government since before the first World War.
The freight run for which the subsH” was approved calls for service from United States west coast ports to Australia and New Zealand with the privilege of calling at British Colombia and Pacific Island ports en route.
The company, which already has a sub sidised passenger-cargo service between California and Australia, proposes even tually to operate 13 round freight voyages a year on each of two cargo runs in the Pacific. It asked the privilege, however, of operating one sailing a month over either of the two services, or over the two services combined, in such a manner as would best accommodate cargo offer ings.
A representative of the Matson Line commenting on the subsidy, said that the high operating costs of American vessels had for many years made it impossible for them to compete with those of other countries. The slow tum-around in New Zealand and Australia and high costs of loading and discharging were also factors which contributed to the difficulties of American lines operating in the Pacific Lumber and asphalt, he said were two of the important commodities which a more frequent service would make available in greater quantities Wellington “Post”.
Mr. F. C. Eichhorn left Sydney by Qantas plane on May 5 for Angoram, Sepik River, New Guinea, where he has a gold mining property. He was fare welled by Capt. V. H. Gilchrist, formerly of Bulolo Gold Dredging, Ltd., but now a member of the BCOF in Japan.