WELLINGTON’S PROGRESS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12613, 25 November 1926, Page 7

WELLINGTON’S PROGRESS

REMARKABLE FIGURES SUBMITTED AT HARBOUR BOARD MEETING RECORD FOR DOMINION “IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF PORT PRACTICALLY BALANCE” The steady development of the Port of Wellington, both from the point of view of imports and exports, is strikingly illustrated by the statistics of the year ended September 30th last, which were tabled for consideration at last night's meeting of the Wellington Harbour Board. The figures disclose a gratifying increase in regard to Empire and foreign trade, both inward and outward, but a falling-off in Australian transhipments. A new record has been constituted for the Dominion in regard to the tonnage of vessels from overseas, while exports and imports practically balance.

Tn commenting upon the satisfactory state of affairs, the chairman (Mr M. Cohen) pointed out that the total tonnage of all cargo handled was 1.816,765 tons as compared with 1.635,286 tons last year, an increase of 181.479 tons, or 11 per N ceut, GRATIFYING INCREASE “This increase,” lie observed, “must be very gratifyiug to members, showing the greater use that has been made of the port and its facilities last year.” The total tonnaee inwards of all classes of canzo increased from 987,389 tons to 1.055,576 tons, or bv 6.9 per cent. The principal increase was in British and foreign imports, which amounted to 109.480 tons, or 28.2 per cent. There was a decrease of 45.849 tons in Australian imports, mainly due to the reduction in coal imports and also in imports of hardwoods. Transhipments had increased from 323.084 to 381,785 tons, or 18.1 per cent. Both British and foreign and coastal transhipments had considerably increased, but there was some falling-off in the Australian transhipments. The central position of Wellington and the regular services must attract transhipments, both export and import, to Wellington, and the board had made the rate low for cargo of this description. Outward cargo to British nnd foreign ports had increased from 125.863 tons to 138.178 tons, or 9.7 per cent.. Australian bv 18.525 tons, and coastal from 172.181 tons to 195.934 tons.

3,428,100 tons arrived, as compared with 2832 vessels of a net tonnage of 3,080,340 tons last year, an increase of no less than 347,815 tons, or 11.2 per cent., which constitutes a record for the port of Wellington and also for the Dominion. From the figures quoted, he concluded. it would be seen that the trade of the port was quite satisfactory, and was a matter for congratulation. INDISPUTABLE FIGURES In reply to a question, the chairman said that in regard to the net registerod tonnage of vessels arriving from overseas, the board had constituted a record not only for Wellington, but the whole of the Dominion. C. H. Chapman. said the figures were indisputable, nnd showed remarkable progress of the port. They constituted a c-omplete answer to the pessimists who complained about bad trade and had times. Air J. G. Harkness said the report demonstrated that the concentration policy was developing. “The port is going ahead because we are able to give better service than any other port in the Dominion. Beoause of that the trade is coming here.” Tho figures entirelv justified the progress made, and effectively answered critics who suggested that the board was building toofa st and spending too much money. ‘The money we have spent has been wisely and well handled, and the greater facilities provided have had their reflection in the development of the port.” . Mr C. M. Turrell considered the Dominion was spending too much money, and drew attention to the fact that their imports were too large. They were up against adverse conditions, and were going somewhat beyond their scope. Mr Moss regarded the report as verv satisfactory. However, it seemed strange that there was a decrease of 4982 tons in the butter figures, and a slight increase in respect to cheese. THE ADVERSITY CYCLE The chairman said that while the previous speakers had touched on vital points, they did not come within the scope of the board. Adversity travelled in cycles, but fortune turned round again when least expected. From an economic point of view, it was probable that imports in times such as those being experienced at present did show an increase, but this matter always adjusted itself. In any case, Wellington had the distinction, iff point of value, of its imports and exports practically balancing. There had been no diminu-: tion in respect of cheese, but butter had fallen off. However, the district was happily situated, in that it could switch over from one industry to another. The possibility was that the increase of frozen meat shipments had some relation to the falling-off in butter shipments. STATISTICS FOR The figures for tile month of October showed that the net registered tonnage of vessels arriving at the port was 269,137, as compared with 258,386 tons in 1925, while the tonnage of vessels departing was 101,990 tons and 103,294 tons respectively. The general cargo imports had ‘increased from 50,415 tons in 1925 to 53,930 tons in 1926, while the general exports were 17,761 tons in 1925, as compared with 24,119 tons this year. With all cargo brought to a tonnage basis, the increase for the month was 135,733 tons last month, as against 129,884 tons for the corresponding period last vear. Considering the reflection of the strike, said the chairman, the board might regard the small increase as satisfactory.

Analysing the results by class, it will be seen that general cargo imports had increased by 8.6 per ceni., from 513,932 tons to 558,215 tons; general transhipments now amount to 149,843 tons, showing an increase of 10,581 tons over the previous year: general cargo exports had increased from 195,265 tons to 206,544 tons, or 5.7 per cent.; wool outwards showed a large increase last year, the total bales exported being 184,623, as against 142,323 bales; and hemp increased by 5033 bales to a total of 72,442 bales. PRIMARY PRODUCTS There was a considerable falling-off in the total quantity of butter shipped, the figures being 15,707 tons, as compared with 20,689 tons for the previous year. Apparently this decrease was general in the southern districts of the North Island, and was due to less production of this product on the other hand. Cheese exported amounted to 46,864 tons, or about equal to last year. Frozen meat showed an increase of 4631 tons, the total being 35.960 tons, while coal showed a decrease from 416,531 tons to 406,090 tons. This was, of course, partly due to the greater use of fuel oil for bunkering, and also to a falling-off in Government importations. Timber, inwards. increased from 20,792.154 sup. ft to 27,351,105 sup. ft. or by 31.5 per cent. ; outwards, was 1.273.625 sup. ft, as compared with 1,011,451 sup. ft last year. Oil ;n bulk received at Wellington had increased largely, the total being 146,888 tons, against 91,635 tons, an increase of 55.253 tons, or no less than 60.2 per cent. Oil, outward, was 89,193 tons, and transhipped 45,822 tons. The total hulk oil handled was 275,903 tons, as against 187,732 tons, or 88,171 tons, equal to an increase of 46.9 per cent, in the previous year. He regarded this increase as one of the most pleasing features of the report, and considered they had not extended the Evans Bay wharves prematurely. The net registered tonnage of vessels arriving, which was a gauge of the trade and progress of the part, showed that 3054 vessels of a net tonnage of