The Daily News. FRIDAY, JANUARY 1913. PORT OF PATEA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 163, 9 January 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, JANUARY 1913. PORT OF PATEA.

The Patea -Press say»:--'The rapid strides made in the dairying industry of late have served ■ o - impress upon them the need for a port workable at all times. It will ba something astonishing, therefore, if the loan which the Board propose to raise in the near future is not- sanctioned by an overwhelming majority. The experience gained by farmers who havo had to look to (.he railway as a means of transport for their produce is another factor which will assist them in j arriving at a favorable opinion with regard to the loan. Not only lias the cost of railage 'been excessive when coinpared with the freight by sea, but in addition the necessary trucks have not always been available when required. The farmers have at length begun to realise that if they are to obtain the full result of their labors they 11111st have a port which will enable them to ship their produce at any time at a minimum of cost and Without any fear of missing the Home liner. Very often the loss occasioned by missing i,i rising market may mean a substantial amount to each farmer, far more, in fact, tliiin the small amount payable ill rates each year." There is, it seems, good reason

l'or our contemporary's anxiety to get something donc_soon to the port, for in Tuesday's isMie of the Ilawera Star, :i journal always favorably inclined to the river porl, it is state:!: "The condition af the port of l'atea yesterday was very unsatislactory to anyone taking a keen interest in the welfare of the district." 'lhe Star proceeds: "The port must be improved or closed, because the struggle cannot, go on much longer, and it would be a serious blow to South Tavanaki if I'atea were practically closed as a port. . . If the ratepayers fully comprehrnd lhe position it will then be for them (0 author.' e one more attempt to improve the port or to itirn down the project." The Pa tea llurbor Board proposes to borrow an amount in the neighborhood •; to improve the port, bill the poin: ratepayers should first eoiMiirj- is: : mi we do better by shipping o;tr j>n;i!i through Mew PlymouthlSy next xliH'c season Aloluroa will be ready for the berthing of Home iii; :*v In met, it can at the present iiioui<-ul berth in perfect safety vessels of the Rir.mtaka class that are engaged in the prodnce-wirryins trade. South Taramiki ratepayers would be well advised (.0 "bid'' a wee" and satisfy themselves il Motiiroa is all that is

claimed for it and I: the t-xjjoji.l iture of till! large Slliil con: -»lj)lilt«l will provide ,a ]iort ;it I'atca -i.-oikubU 1 at, all tinios of lli« year. Th.-ts 'hey should consider | the question of el- egos, deciding iis far us possible which he the cheaper and tlu> morn reluUe- by mil to I'atca, coastal ship lo VY-imsloii, anil transhipJiient there, or by y.ij] (o Atot il roa and direct shipping ! .•> Unghuid. These points the .south'-;:! ratepayers should "lost cardu!ly \ve;e;h before sanctioning the scheme involving a heavy expenditure that is being placed before them. '1 he point:; are business ones, and vitally aflcid, the poekels oi (lie ratepayers, and can, and should determined apart from any con.sid,.l i-.n of rivalry between the ports of Moturoa and l'atea, a spirit which, imfor: inu'tflv. has always been fostered by some of the leading men interested in the ,r,!iih.-ra port. These people have "inn .. f it that Moturoa i-an never be made a deep-sea port. Their predictions here been falsified, but it is diliieiilt to convince I he southerners, who for years have bed !hie erroneous idi'a hammered into t.!-,-jr minds, to actually believe that [the po, I is a thorough success and able t.. belli, the big liners. Were it not for fallacy, the southerners would no think of pouring thousands ol pone !.i Info the improvement of (he river when they have a safe and cilice deep-water barbur at their very doe:-, litan they would of conveying- their .duco to the Home market by aeroplancf. . .. . ...