PROSPECTS FOR INCREASE IN SHIPPING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3810, 26 June 1928, Page 3

PROSPECTS FOR INCREASE IN SHIPPING.

GRAIN FROM SOUTH ISLAND,

Mr F. C. Raikes struck an optimistic note at the social function held in conjunction with the Foxton Chamber of Commerce last evening in connection with slipping through the port of Foxton. He said there was a good opening for the importation of Class E goods through the local port. This consisted of pollard, wheat, Hour, etc., and the port of Foxton could feed the surrounding country for miles inland with these commodities from Lyttelton at prices with which the lorries could not compete. In his opinion a boat could be kept running with this class of goods all the time. Those desiring the benefit could well afford to pay a little more freight if the port was not a payable concern, as it meant everything for them to get these articles through Foxton. They could be landed here far cheaper than they could into the Wellington stores. The price of class E goods was governed by the cost of bringing it from Lyttelton, and flour, pollard, grain, etc., could be brought through the port, of Foxton so cheaply that the lorries and trains could not enter into competition with it. Mr Raikes spoke from his own personal experience in the poultry industry at Oroua Downs.

Mr J. S. Moir said Mr Raikes had touched the right note when he had mentioned the South Island class E trade in connection with the port of Foxton. It would be a fairly difficult thing to ifi-crease the Wellington trade through Foxton, as competition with the lorries and the trains was so great, but there Avas considerable hope in the future of the South Island trade with this port. Wiangauui would certainly enter into the competition, but there Avas plenty of room for it. There had been some talk of a rate having to be struck by the Foxton Harbour Board in order to allow it to carry on, but before that was done expenditure by that body should be reduced to an absolute minimum.