Wharfage Charge on Coal

Hokitika Guardian, 4 July 1922, Page 4

Wharfage Charge on Coal

A WESTPORT PROTEST. WESTPORT, June 29. At. a icpreseiitative public meeting in the Town Hall to-night the Mayor, Mr Menzies. presiding, strong -protest, was made against the Government's imposition of a tax of lid per ton on coal, and it was resolved “That this public meeting of citizens of Westport , emphatically protests against, the acj tion of the Government in imposing a wharfage rate of !)d per ton on coal e.\- | ported from Westport in order that. J tlie charges at Westport may he the .- same as at Greymoiit.li. The ports of ! Grcymouth and Westport are oil an entirely different footing. Whereas the endowments of the Greymouth Harbour Beard arc practically worthless, owing to the closing of the Brunner mine, the endowments of the Westport Harbour Board are as valuable as at any period. This meeting Would respectfully submit that it is most unwise to penalise one of our primary industries at the present time, as the only way in -which the Dominion can meet its liabilities is by increasing production, and it is felt that this extra charge on coal will seriously interfere with mines in the Duller district and ma.v lead to a reduction in the output from them. The citizens of Westport hope that the Government : will reconsider this matter and will not 1 continue the imposition of this charge." Copies of the resolution will lie sent to . the Prime Minister, the member for the j district, Mr R. P. Hudson, M.P., and ! the Hon W. 11. M’lntyre. It was also decided to send a deputation to Wei- ! lington to meet the Prime Minister. I