THE PORT OF WELLINGTON.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2769, 26 March 1910, Page 2

THE PORT OF WELLINGTON.

A NEW SCALE OF CHARGES

[Per Press Association.) WELL 1 NGT'ON, March 24. Yesterday Mr R. Fletcher, Chairman of the Harbor Board, moved that the Horbor Board should adopt a new scale of charges. He said this question was .before the Board some eighteen months ago, and it was then agreed to defer consideration of the subject for some time. Then -came the matter of finance, and the necessity of facing the position with candour, flu? tonnage had fallen away and the revenue -had decreased He quoted figures to show that since last October the foreign tonnage on the whole had diminished. He did not think that any improvement in. trade would came till after the spring had arrived. The proposed new tariff had been passed at a special meeting of the Board recently. The Chairman acknowledged indebtedness to the Board's officers in arranging a new and fair scale c-f charges. He hoped that the members of the Board would guard against such foolish expenditure a had been incurred in the past. During the coming two years the Bond would have to be careful, and the watchword would lie: “Economy with efficiency. ’ Personally he was against increasing the charges, to shipping, but the Board was in the position that it could not help itself. Notwithstanding the increased charges, the .port of Wellington would retain its •superiority by reason of the facilities offered. If the position had been faced six months ago it would have been better for the port. Perhaps it would he possible in the ueur future to reduce the scale of charges, which he recommended should;be adopted. The schedule which Mr. Fletcher recommended showed an increase of £17,640, of which merchants would be asked to provide £9473 and ships £SI67. In seconding the motion, Mr M. Cohen said lie .shared the feeling of the Chairman. It was for the Board to show that it iwas doing justice to all. He could not see any other solution of the difficulty .was (possible.

Mr* C. W. Jones, as a shipping rejpresentative, said he admitted that increased charges were inevitable, and lie therefore supported the Chairman s proposal. He believed, however, that the Board should seriously consider the question of securing greater economy in the working of the port. Mr. J. G. Harkness, suoportiug the scheme as a whole, remarked that it was fair and equable. Mr. J- C. McEwan contended that a complete reorganisation of the Board s affairs was necessary. Mr. T. M. Wilford said he thought the table of figures could be described as an “equitable equipoise.’’ He did not think the charges should be .put on before .the present time, but it had been recognised that the rearrangement- had to come. Dr Newman said that he wished to congratulate the Chairman om his herojam. In his opinion the new scheme should have -been carried long ago. Tile consumer would -have to p-ay for the increased imports. Generally lie blamed the extravagance of the pastier the present position. He had made out a list of £425,000 of unnecessary -works undertaken by the Board. Under the circumstances lie believed the Chainman’s move was a right one. In reply the Chairman remarked that he regretted that the Board baa lost eight of the “fat months” of the year before getting the new schedule into operation. The motion was canted unanimously.