THAMES HARBOUR LOAN.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4554, 23 April 1923, Page 2

THAMES HARBOUR LOAN.

DAIRY COMPANY’S ATTITUDE. OPPOSITION WITHDRAWN. . MR. GOODFELLOW’S STATEMENT. The managing director of the N.Z. Co-operative Dairy Co., Ltd., supplies the following statement in connection with the Thames Harbour Loan :—• In the course of the campaign ! n support of the Thames Harbour Board loan certain statements were made by some gentlemen that the Thames had definite possibilities as an export port for the handling of dairy produce. It was contended that great quantities of dairy produce which at present were railed to Auckland for export would be sent to Thames in the event of the loan being carriel so that a great saving in reports would be secured.

As this statement affected dairy produce the N.Z. Co-op. Dairy Co., Ltd., as the principal dairy company operating in the district affected, drew up a circular to its suppliers pointing out that the Thames could not be developed suitably as an export port because experience proved tha'c small ports did not receive sufficient visits from overseas vessels to rapidly clear stocks, and it, was essential, in order to successfully market the company’s produce, that shipment overseas should be made promptly without undue delay. The advantages of Auckland in prompt shipment were so great as to discountenance any saving in rail freights that, might bo gained. Further, it would be necessary to provide cool scores at the Thames at a heavy capital outlay.

Mr C. W. Harris, chairman of the Thames Harbour Board, on being acquainted with the contents of the circular, waited upon the directors of the N.Z. Co-op. Dairy Co. ,Ltd., who were meeting in Hamilton on Thursday. The board’s scheme, he said, was not intended to develop an export harbour at all, and should rever have been advocated as such. The scheme was purely designed to improve the import facilities. It was desired to deepen the harbour so as to accommodate vessels drawing up to 18ft of water. This depth would permit of increased trade in the direct importation of such articles as Nauru Island phosphates, which were particularly needed for the satisfactory development of the Hauraki district, Hikurangi and West Coast coal, Island fruit, general merchandise, and southern products such as potatoes, maize, wheat, flour, bran, pollard, oats, and chaff. All of these commodities could be imported direct, thereby benefiting the farmer as well as the residents of the towns affected. After hearing the explanation by Mr Harris that, the scheme was not intended to develop an export port, the directors of the Dairy Company decided to accede to the request of Mr Harris to withdraw the circular. Fortunately comparatively few copies had been issued. The directors of the Dairy Company further wish to make it quite plain that they have no objection to the scheme as an import proposition. The circular had been drawn up merely to counteract the Statements made that the scheme would be of benefit for the export of dairy produce.