A SHIPPING MATTER

Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1929, Page 5

A SHIPPING MATTER

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

GISBORNE, April 29.

Gisborne Harbour Board has received a communication from the head office of Shaw Savill and Albion Company, London, on the subject of the proposed abandonment of the flat rate freight charges to New Zealand ports. In this the Company states: “To be quite (undid we think Gisborne and other wayside ports are unnecessarily alarmed at the action of Wellington Harbour Board, as not for a moment, can we believe that New Zealand, as a whole, will agree to give producers in the neighbourhood of the main ports a certain preference over producers at roadstead ports. From a shipowners’ point of view we orohahly would welcome an afrangement that would effect the cuitailing of ports of loading and coastwise steaming, hut this is a matter controlled by the shipowners, as he is expected to cater for the trade efficiently, in fair or foul weather, and ‘present his ship to lilt cargo at such points as it arises. We cannot believe for one moment that a differentation can possibly be made in favour of main ports to the detriment of other parts and shall be very much surpi ised if any legislation will be forthcoming that will, in any \\a\. change the present system under which smaller ports enjoy the same privileges as larger ones.”