Ships For Solomons
pp. 33-34 · Read in the full issue
Plea For The Direct Connection With Sydney
Letter to the Editor THE best development in the Solomons this year has been the re-establish ment of the Sydney-Solomons ship ping connection by BP, in conjunction with other major interests. Admittedly, at present the service is not as firmly established as we would like; but the three runs of the “Muliama” in as many months has demonstrated the quality of the service the Big Firm can provide—so much so, that it is unthinkable that the Govern ment can allow it to lapse for lack of inducement.
In my time, I’ve thrown more bricks than bouquets at BP. But I have never denied its ability and efficiency in run ing shipping. And its recent perform ance shows that the old hand has not lost its skill. So it is with pleasure and respect that I pay this tribute.
After a couple of years’ experience with the “bent elbow” route —Sydney-Suva- Solomons—with its attendant ferocious double freights, double Customs duties often, delays and transhipment charges, we were mightily relieved when Govern ment ceased trying to make water flow uphill, severed the “Kurimarau” connec tion with Fiji, and decided to allow Solomons trade to revert to its natural channel—the direct Sydney-Solomons run.
Then, just to show how it is done, BP whipped in the “Muliama” in three quick trips; and orders which had been wait ing in Sydney for an age came along pronto; overtook most of our shortages;
and left us grateful and gasping at the celerity of it all.
The heart-breaking delays and endless months of waiting on the arrival of goods via Fiji are a bad dream which we are glad to forget. And we hope the Gov ernment will never try anything like that again. Forget Fiji! It is not in our orbit, and never was; and all the political wire pulling in the world will not alter the long-established fact that Sydney is the natural source and hub of the Islands trade.
Fiji had a marvellous run and a won derful opportunity; but simply did not have what it takes to deliver the goods.
It has -been weighed in the balance and found wanting.
I am, etc..
Leslie F. Gill.
Bsi, 25/10/48.
expect no improvement in shipping con ditions in the Southwest Pacific while the Australian Government fails to exercise control over the Communist-led trade Unions.
The naturally, refuse to comment. But they point eloquently to the ever-rising costs, which must force still higher freights and rates upon the Islands communities.