The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1912.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3641, 30 September 1912, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1912.

It is always very pleasing to see the Chamber of Commerce pegging away with reference to the question of either oversea or coastal freights. As is well known, this is a matter in regard to which this portion of tho Dominion suffers a very severe handicap. The particular aspect of the subject which is now engaging attention is that in regard to the cost of freights to the Coast bays. With the committee of the Chamber of Commerce which was set up to consider the matter, wo heartily agree that tho existing freights to these Bays should at once be made more in keeping with those charged between the main ports. If one takes Tolago Bay, for instance, one nnist ho struck by tho fact that although it is only a little over 30 miles distant by sea from Gisborno the freight charged between the two places has of late been as much as 32s Gd per ton. Now, however, it seems from a statement which Mr Preston made at the meeting on Friday that tile figure has been raised to 33s per ton on account of a: recent impost with regard'to the lighterage fees. Then, again, take Tokoimaru Bay, to -which Bay tbo charge for freight is 32s Gd per ton-

Tha Question of Coastal Freights^

It would now appear that in consequence of the levying of Harbormaster’s and pilotage fees it is very likely tno charges will also he increased. Gisborne, it seems to us, is quite hadly enough handicapped without the additional disadvantage of not being able to quote such reduced rates to the Coast Bays as its geographical situation should enable it to do over its more distant rivals for the Coast trade,' Happily it is the ease that a substantial reduction has been maintained with reference to the charges between either Auckland or Wellington and Gisborne which now stand at 13s Gd per ton. Were the freight to the Coast Bays substantially reduced we feel sure a very much larger “export” trade from Gisborne would, in the near future, result. It will now, for instance, not be lorfig before the transport of considerable-quantities of timber by rail from Rakauroa to town may become an accomplished fact. Undoubtedly much of it may be taken by the Coast people if the cost of freight, etc., be found not to he excessive. Apparently it is also the case that with cheaper freights a large trade with the Coast townships in the matter of produce, merchandise, etc., might he cultivated. Then the day will come along—soon we trust —-when Gisborne will ho favored with the privilege of regular direct Homo shipments, in which event all that will be needed to still greatly swell its “'export” of merchandise, etc., for the Coast will be more reasonable freights. It will thus be seen that the progress and importance of this port could he .immeasurably enhanced if it placed on a better footing with reference to the matter of freight. As to the prospects of reduced charges in the immediate future, it is not passible for us to say a great deal. Mr Preston, it may have been noted, told his fellow members of the Chamber of Commerce “that the whole of the shipping arrangements of the East Coast is a matter of negotiation at the present moment.” What he was hinting at we are not in a position to speak without official authority, hut in this connection, it may be stated, it is being persistently rumored in the town mat Messrs Richardson and Co. are taking over the Squall and that the ‘ U.S.S. Co., after 30 years’ experience of this particular trade, are dropping out of the Coast business so far as the working of the baya with cargo is concerned. The Chamber of Commerce, we trust, will continue to prosecute its inquiries in regard to the matter of freight charges in this portion of the Dominion, which, as we have shown, must have a very great bearing on the prosperity of this town and port as well as upon the development of the Coast generally.