"WELLINGTON PENALISED”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 362, 24 May 1928, Page 12

"WELLINGTON PENALISED”

FLAT RATE FOR FREIGHT HARBOUR BOARD MOTION Press Association WELLINGTON, To-day. A motion was discussed by the Harbour Board protesting against the system of a flat rate for freight from all parts of New Zealand, and suggesting setting up a committee to go into the question in all its bearings. Mr. Mitchell, the mover, said that Wellington was being unjustly penalised to make up the loss on other ports, and £1,000,000 a year was being lost. What was the use of the safe and modern wharves and facilities provided here when we had to pay for risks taken in dangerous harbours and roadsteads elsewhere? he asked. Other speakers supported him, and blamed the Meat and Dairy Boards for the system. It was said, however, that the National Dairy Association had arranged a flat rate before those bodies came into existence. One member, Mr. Turrell, opposed the motion, claiming generally that Wellington was doing very well as it was. Great cost would be incurred for additional wharves and sheds, and nothing like £1,000,000 would be saved. He went on to say that Mr. Mitchell wanted to concentrate the ships into two ports, but the latter denied he had ever said such a thing. Some members thought it better to omit that part of the motion protesting against the flat rate, and the motion was carried with this deleted.