HARBOUR BOARD

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 199, 20 May 1944, Page 8

HARBOUR BOARD

Mr. Appleton Gives Policy Of Citizens

ACHIEVEMENTS SURVEYED

The outstanding achievement of bis mayoral opponent on the Waterfront Control Commission had been to increase substantially cargo-handling costs, which w”ere reflected in the price of every article, inward and outward, which had been handled on the Wellington wharves, said Mr. Will Appleton, in a Citizens' harbour board campaign speech at Hatnitai north. That same achievement would be repeated anywhere the electors liked, at their own expense, Io trust. Mr. Roberts.

The comuyission’.s bonus system had resulted in :i progressive increase in the board's percentage of the total distribution from 5.3 in 1940-41 to 22.6 in 194344. The incentive for an increased rate of cargo-handling was certainly there, but the improvement which might reasonably be expected for the board's outlay was not reflected in its cargo-handling costs. These had risen to 37.13 d. a ton in 1943, which was 25 per cent, more than in 1937, for English and foreign cargo, and to 43.04 d. a ton for coastal and Australian- cargo, which represented an increase of more than lid. in the same period. The year 1937 was a fair one for comparative purposes, as the waterfront then was largely free from discordant conditions. For the four months ended January, 1944, the increase on English and foreign cargo handling costs was 6.27 d. a ton compared with 1937, and 12.67 d. for coastal and Australian cargo. "With a return to more normal conditions the deterioration that had taken place in the board’s margin of wharfage revenue over cargo-handling costs since 1937 would become more apparent. The need would also be seen for steps to'be again taken to assure a more reasonable and economic margin of wharfage in relation to cargo-handling costs in order to preserve the financial stability of the board. As things were shaping it was faced with the prospect of a loss in the current financial year. As for the abolition of special representation argument of his opponent, said Mr. Appleton, electors had 10 representatives, as against two appointed by payers of dues on ships and one by payers of dues on goods, with the Government also appointing one.

Visiting shipmasters over a long period had considered the port-of Wellington to be one of the finest equipped with appliances and wharves in the southern hemisphere. The board’s treatment of its staff had always been considered good, and there was never a year without a long waiting list. Generous sick leave had. been given all who needed it and superannuation benefits and payment of half premium of life insurance had been Tmade for the permanent staff.

Mess rooms, adequately heated, were provided for all branches of the staff. A commodious social hall, with recreational facilities, was made available in the board’s office building. Watersiders were provided with waiting-rooms, recently enlarged, with provision made for locker rooms. Hot and cold showers were also available. The upper floor of a new store to be built after the war would provide' increased waiting room accommodation. with locker rooms, hot and cold showers, for watersiders. Restaurant premises provided by the board had recently been enlarged, renovated and equipped for serving meals. It was operated by Mr. W. R. Taylor and Mr. F. G. Young, M.L.C., who were recommended by the commission. The board provided the premises free. The- only meal the caterers provided at present was between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., for the night shift. The board had only one wharf leased; that at Point Howard and suitable only for the oil industry. It was built for £54,000 and was leased in 1928. The rent was £750 per annum, plus wharfages on all goods, with a guaranteed minimum for wharfage of £3500. Out of reserves the board had provided one asset which had been of incalculable benefit to the shipping' of all Allied nations. It had great capacity now and was so built that this could be added to. Labour’s so-called progressive policy was but a continuation in election promises of that pursued by this outstanding board for many years.