The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER MONDAY, APRIL 19, 1915. NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 90, 19 April 1915, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER MONDAY, APRIL 19, 1915. NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR.

Jfc should he of more than passing interest to settlers in all parts of tho Province of Taranaki to learn, on the authority of the Harbormaster, that the New Plymouth Harbor Board has now attained its object in the deepening of the swinging basin and the approach io the Moturoa wharf, and that the port of .New Plymouth can now accommodate the largest vessels coining to New Zealand. The requirements of the shipping companies having been met there is no longer any valid reason why ocean liners should not call regularly to deliver imports and take in export cargo at the port. For many years, in the face of great difficulty, and at times not a little opposition, the Board has pressed onward with this goal in view, and to its members congratulations and thanks are due. There is now little doubt but that when trade flows again into its normal channels, with the conclusion of the war, the large shipping lines trading to New Zealand will include New Plymouth as a regular port of call for direct steamers. Tho saving to tho settlers in transhipment charges, both inward and outward, which must follow on direct trade with Britain, should make it well worth while for a move in the direction of ensuring that the advantages of direct trade be conceded by file shipping companies. .Any such movement, however, must be strongly backed up by all parts of the district if it is to succeed. A very important point in this connection should be borne in mind by settlers. It is with regard to the Hoard's finance and the liability of the district to find a harbor rate if such is required. When the new loan was raised in 1909 it was stated that no rate would be collected for at least several years, and possibly not at all. T'p to tin:? date it has not been found necessary to levy a harbor rate, but the indications certainly are that unless there is a substantial increase in the ordin-

ary revenue a small rafco may have to be struck next year to meet a deficiency. Direct trade may mean this desirable increase of ordinary revenue, and all parts of the district should therefore work together to obtain it for their own personal benefit if for no other reason.