THE PORT OF WELLINGTON

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 210, 30 May 1919, Page 4

THE PORT OF WELLINGTON

NATURAL ADVANTAGES. NEEIi DEVELOPMENT. " "Wellington still maintains a foremost position in the trade and commerce of the Dominion," said Mr. J, G. Harkness at the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday. Mr. Harkness is president of the chamber,' arid also' chairman of the Wellington _ Harbour Board. "Its geographical position as a safe and workable is of undoubted value, and should no"! be overlooked. It ought to be the distributing centre for inward' goods on account of a large portion ,of the Dominion. "The opening of the Panama Canal, and in the near future the great developments of overseas shipping by this route must be of incalculable benefit and catered for. Not only should it become the first port of call, and generally the last of departure, for all steamshiti com. panics trading direct with the Doinin ion, but also being in a direct line from Panama, .with the main ports of the Commonwealth on the eastern side, a port of call either on the inward or outward (Voyaee for coaling. "That these advantages should not he lost it is necessary that the Wellington i Harbour. Board should ■nt the earliest j possible moment bring the port up-to date in modern equipment.- Ample accommodation should 1» provided for berthing steamers of greater tonnage and inleroaswl draught. Modern' machinery for handling goods inwards and outwards and above all ample, provision for dealing with coal required for steaming purposes. Lastly, the storage and holding capacity of wharf sheds should be built equal to all requirements."