EMPHASIS ON TIMBER IS CONDEMNED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 92, 6 September 1950, Page 5

EMPHASIS ON TIMBER IS CONDEMNED

“We are a primary producing country and know that the world is crying out for food and always will be crying out for food. From .Taupo to Gisborne there is the largest area of undeveloped land in New Zealand that could be developed if manure could be piade available,’ stated Mr V. C. Florey, chairman of the Rotorua County Council at the meeting of local body representatives held in Tauranga to consider the question of the location of a port for the Bay of Plenty. Mr Florey, who followed other speakers, stated that he had been particularly interested in the discussions, questions and answers. There had been a great deal of emphasis on timber—in his opinion, too much emphasis on that topic. “We have plenty of timber in our country arid have been interested in timber for years,” continued the speaker, “but timber is not the only commodity to be shipped through the port for the Bay of Plenty. We will give you at Tauranga all the timber you require for back-load-ing if you give us what we .want. But timber is in my mind a second - ary aspect to be considered in the siting of the port.” Even if Tokoroa sends its timber to other ports for shipment the Rotorua district was of the strong opinion that the port for the Bay of Plenty—an overseas port—should go to Tauranga. “We do not want any man-made harbour,” continued Mr Florey “Let us commend the splendid harbour at Tauranga and get on with developing it.”