Direction Of Ships To Smaller Ports

Chronicle (Levin), 17 June 1948, Page 3

Direction Of Ships To Smaller Ports

GISBORNE, Jyme 16. "I believe the time has arrived for an invespgatioii of the question whether the direction o.f ships to sinaTMi "ports vYoulcj not be in the interests of the whoie country, ' ' said the Prime Minigter (Mu Fraser) replying to a Gisborne Harbour Board deputation todny. ' ' If you ean show that the re- • sumption of shipping from seoondary ' ports can be more econ'omical you have ; a good sound ease for decentralisa- . tion. M He was replying to the Board 's request for decentralisation. Previous applications for the restoration of overseas shipping at Gisborne had been countered by the shipping companies' argument that it would mean economie loss to the eountry. In 1938, the average. time for a ship's turnround in New Zealand was four weehs. The time had since donbled, and if that was the result of eentralisation it was disastrous, , said Mr- C. H. Wiiliams. ' Mr. Fraser, referring to the suggestion that a return of overseas ships j might help the district 's claim for wool '■saies in -Gisborne, said buvers were not only adamant but vehement in their'refusal to come to Gisborne. He fhought the town should have its own w^ool saies and would like to see buyers attend. It would be unfair of them not to attend. Oth er members of the deputation emphasised that eentralisation of shipping had cut o(f the bulk -of the revenun and that shipping companies instead ot using the port railed produce to Napiei at considerable cost. _ / The Premier said a good case for investigation had been made ont and he promised to take the question up on Ma return to Wellington.