NEW PLYMOUTH CARGOES

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 344, 27 January 1937, Page 6

NEW PLYMOUTH CARGOES

QUESTION OF CONTROL BOARD OR RAILWAYS. Commission To Report To Harbour Board. Whether the cargoes jot the port -of' New Plymouth .will be controlled! by the Harbour Boarfd or the Railway Department will be subject of investigation by an independent commission appointed by the New Plymouth Harbour Board. This -course was decided on at -yesterday’s meeting of the Board when a committee was appointed to engage a consulting (e'ngimeer |and lan Accountant to make the desiHed report.

The decision was leached on a notice of motion by Mr J. R. Cruickshank, and before proceeding with further plans for wharf construction and dredging the investigation will be made with a view to placing a comprehensive report upon the subject before ratepayers at an early date. Public Opinion. "Before proceeding with any new construction work,” said Mr Cruickshank, "it will be necessary for the Board to decide whether the present system of railway control is in the best interests of the port. People, generally, were of the opinion that as the Board- had regained legal access to the wharves, the time had come for it to assume control of the cargo so that goods might be received from and delb-ered to rail or road at the port itself.” In view of the fact that a. change of control policy would necessitate a change of construction plans, Mr Cmickshank thought it advisable that an independent commission should report on the position from a long view of the development of the port. Support of Board. 1 The support accorded Mr Crulckshank’s motion showed that the Board memfbers wished to settle the matter finally in the eyes of the public. The chairman, Mr C. E. Bellringer, however, forcibly protested against the Board committing itself to- a large development scheme if the commission favoured the Board’s control of cargoes. He would not support any increase in rates before trade warranted it.

‘‘l want the public to know just what is involved in the question,” thle chairman said. "1 am satisfied that Board control: of (tradle (is impracticable land impossible. <t will not meet with any support. A very large proportion of the export trade of Taranaki does not pass through the port. If conditions chang'e I would say ‘Go phead with the scheme!’ ”

Taranaki wool sales were envisaged by Mr D. J. Malone. In the nest two years, with the assistance of the production of the Lower Waikato, the present wool passing through Taranaki would be doubled. There was a marked swing to sheep and wool sent to Wanganui meant that money was being taken out' of the province. The only way to satisfy public opinion, said Mr Malone, was by making an independent investigation called for by Mr Cruickshank’s motion.

In repy, Mr Cruickshank shid he thought it Was due to the ratepayers that they be- given an opportunity of seeing what any change would involve- and if it was practicable or not.

The chairman and .Messrs Cruickshank, Maxwell, Holm and Campbell were constituted a committee to report to the Board regarding the appointment of a consulting engineer and accountant.