WELLINGTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 123, 28 April 1925, Page 5

WELLINGTON HARBOUR BOARD.

[Published by Arrangement.]

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE COMBINED MANAWATU DISTRICT.

In asking for your support at the election to be held on Wednesday next, I wish to state that: Many of the electors have told me that the sitting members, having occupied seats on tho board for 14 to 18 years, during winch period no election has been held, they desire to see a change. 1 am opposing tho two sitting members. Please vote for either of them, but give Tolley, the new candidate, a vote as well. The board announces reductions in wharfage amounting to 25 per cent. These reductions appeal' to have been decided upon at a meeting held during last week. It is rather an unusual action on the eve of, and during tho progress of, an election. I suggest it should have been left until tho new board was constituted. These concessions have been made in liasto, without due consideration. The board’s flat rate is 4s per ton on inward cargo; 25 per cent, reduction is Is per ton. It is impostsible for this amount on, say drapery furnishings, ironmongery, or luxuries ever to reach tho consumer. Two shillings per ton reduction on goods used directly by producers, such as benzine, oils, fertilisers, cement, etc., would have reached the producers immediately and been of service to him. The railway facilities on the wharves are inadequate and on some wharves, of bad design. 1 consider that eacli wharf should have direct connection with our railway system so that the expensive cartage charges and tho damage from extra handling could he cut out and goods for despatch to tho country could be sent direct from tho ship’s side. I agree entirely with the 25 per cent, reduction on outward produce. Wellington is a port with great natural advantages. These, together with the enterprise and good management of all concerned from the very early days, have given us a heritage of groat and increasing value which belongs, not to the Harbour Board, but to the inhabitants of the Wellington countryside. Yours for still better service, the new candidate. —H. Tolley.