COASTAL FREIGHTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3669, 2 November 1912, Page 7

COASTAL FREIGHTS.

AND STEAMER ACCOMMODATION.

. DISCUSSED BY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Coastal freights formed a subject of discussion at the Chamber of Commerce meeting yesterday. Mr Redstone said that the matter was a sore point. Messrs Richardson and Co. would not transfer cargo from one boat to another without charging full rates for both journeys. The Chairman (Mr Bright) thought that it was a crying shame that this district did not grow its own oats and chaff. Mr Barry: Mr Ngata is going in for that. Mr Redstone: They grow ia great deal at Waipiro, but they won’t cart it. Mr Barry pointed out that with the Harbor Boards at Tokomaru, Waipiro, and Awanui they could soon get the amount paid in freights to,the Coast. The secretary said that the Coast trade did not pay the Companies. The Chairman: If we had direct freights from Home there might he some special reason why we should make the move.

Mr Barry: We should then he on the same footing as other places. Mi* Ivynie pointed out that two years ago owing to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, the freights wore reduced. His idea was that Auckland merchants would put on / their own boat. The Chairman: The best we can do is to hammer away at tlie direct freights. If the steamship companies raised the freights then they should endeavor to raise a fleet of their own. They wanted all the trade from Gisborne. The matter then dropped. Mr Corson then brought up the matter of cargo accommodation on the East Coast steamers. He pointed out that on the Tarawera cargo for Gisborne was frequently shut out owing to the vessel being full up. As much cargo from tlie South was shut out as the vessel brought. He thought the Chamber, should write to the Union Company asking them to put on a larger steamer. The secretary: It does not pay them. Tlie Chairman: If no one kicks up a fuss there will be nothing done. Mr Kells: If we wrote to the Union Co. and asked them -to improve the facilities in some way or other that would perhaps meet the case. This was agreed to.