Across Pacific

No Passenger Ships

Withdrawal of "Marine Phoenix"

FOR the first time in generations there will be no regular sea passenger ser vice between Australia and New Zealand and the Pacific coast of North America after the “Marine Phoenix” com pletes her present voyage at San Fran cisco. She leaves Sydney on April 16.

The “Marine Phoenix” has been under charter to the Matson Line from the US Maritime Commission and it is under stood that on the ten trips she has under taken between Australia and San Fran cisco she has lost over £A92,000. “Marine Phoenix” has passenger accommodation for 500, but no cargo space.

When the Matson Line announced that the “Marine Phoenix” would be with drawn, they stated also that the pre-war trans-Pacific ships “Mariposa” and •Monterey,” which were to have come back on the Pacific run after refitting, would now be -sold. Refitting work stopped suddenly last year on these ves sels when increased wages and costs in dicated to the company that the recon version of the ships for the Pacific trade would be uneconomical.

The Union Steamships Company liner “Aorangi” which has been refitting in Sydney for the last two years will, it is hoped, be back on the run later this year.

July or August was the last date men tioned.

Dollar restrictions in Australia and New Zealand have contributed to the costli ness of running passenger traffic across the Pacific.

It is understood that Australia is anxi ous for the “Marine Phoenix” to con tinue her service, but will not con sider paying the Company a subsidy. The ship will therefore be withdrawn unless the Australian and US Governments act as the last moment.

Then And Now A Contrast

117'HAT a dismal picture for this year ff of grace 1948!

Back in 1914, before World War I, the Pacific Territories were better served by trans-Pacific lines than at any time since.

Then, 35 years ago, there was a British line running from Australia to Vancouver, via NZ, Fiji and Hawaii; another run ning via NZ, Cook Islands and Tahiti to San Francisco. An American line ran from Australia to San Francisco, via NZ, Fiji and Hawaii.

A British line used three or four large modern steamers in a service which con nected Sydney with Auckland, via Fiji, Tonga and Samoa. German and French lines criss-crossed the Pacific in all directions.

Fares were low, cargo rates were low, and in all the Islands Territories there were indications of development and pro gress, which benefited all classes, natives included.

Between the Wars, the shipping lines were only partly restored. Never, between 1920 and 1940, did Pacific dwellers enjoy the communications they experienced prior to 1914.

To-day, apart from the stir caused by the excessive nrice of coora, there is general stagnation, the result of Socialist administration and frustration.

There is now not one regular line of passenger ships crossing South Pacific.

Travellers who can afford it go by air, at excessive cost. The great majority simply stay at home.

Mr. K. N. Allen, of 89 Mimi Street, Oatley, NSW, is an amateur stamo col lector and is seeking correspondents in the Pacific with whom he can exchange low-value stamps, first-dav covers, etc.