Importers Welcome New Wharf Rates

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30956, 12 January 1966, Page 6

Importers Welcome New Wharf Rates

Importers undoubtedly would welcome the over-all reduction of 10s 4d a ton in their landing charges at Lyttelton, said the chairman of the transport committee of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce (Mr R. C. Wallace) yesterday.

If that saving was applied to the Christehurch-to-Lytiel-ton railway shed costs, it meant a reduction in land* ’g charges from 37s a ton to 26s 8d a ton, or nearly 28 per cent. Mr Wallace was commenting on new wharf rates for Lyttelton. announced last week.

He said the difficulty would be to retain the saving on a permanent basis. Importers, through their various trade organisations, should maintain a keen interest in ail aspects which made for the running of an efficient port.

“Shipping companies naturally seek to operate at a profit,” he said. “And a quick turn-around in port is an important aspect of their operations.

“In their efforts to achieve this prompt turn-around, additional labour and overtime labour could be employed, which would increase the wharf-handling costs and so reduce the 10s 4d savings margin. “To some extent, the interests of importers will be served in subsequent revisions by the provision that Government nominees approve such revisions. However, they will have no say in the matter and must accept such revisions as final.

“Another aspect of landing charges to be watched is the cost of handling cargo through Cashin Quay. The wharfingering company responsible for this cargo handling may find it difficult to maintain the existing rate of 13s 6d a ton.

“Here again, the importer has no control over the charges levied, as the ivharfinger-

ing company, I understand is owned by the overseas shipping lines.

“The permanent reduction of the present saving, plus the additional cost of 9s 4d a ton to be borne by Auckland importers, will give Canterbury manufacturers and distributors a margin of 19s 8d a ton, which will be useful in competing for the southern North Island markets.” The chairman of the importers’ committee of the chamber (Mr E. J. Parry) said the reduction in overseas freights meant freight rates would be stabilised to all New Zealand ports.

A change from Lyttelton Subsidising Auckland, had long been overdue. “The reduction in overseas freight rates will be welcomed by Christchurch importers,” said Mr Parry. "On die subject of wharf handling charges, I think this is a ■thing we will watch with a considerable amount of interest, to see if they can be maintained.”