HARBOR DEVELOPMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 August 1918, Page 6

HARBOR DEVELOPMENT.

THE SOUTH TARANAKI CAMPAIGN.

SOME STRONG OPPONENTS AT W y« , OKAIAWA, ,

The warmest opposition the members !of the New Plymouth Harbor Boferd 1 have met so far iu their campaigrf in connection with the proposed scheme ot harbor development was experienced at Okaiawa ou Friday night, when were were about 40 present, including Messrs J. K. Corrigan (Hawera), W. -1). Powdrell (Kaupokonui), J, B. Murdoch (Okaiawa), T. McPhillips (Manaia), A. C. Pease, A. L. D. Astbury, J. Marx, (Mangatoki), and S. Turner (Wellington). The Harbor Board was represented by Messrs Newton King (chairman), C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., E. Maxwell, J. S. Connett, C. E. McGuinness, and D. J. Hughes. Mr. A. Lees was voted to the chair.

There was a very fulLand free, and at times heated, discussion, interjections being frequent, the meeting lasting until after midnight. The first speaker was Mr. Newton King, who explained the purpose ot the visit. The board's statements had been challenged by the Vigilance Committee, to whom they were indebted, as during the free discussions they had refreshed their memories concerning points that might have been forgotten. Several assertions made by the Vigilance Committee had been aontradicted, and others would be contradicted that night. Very few, he said, in that district ever thought New Plymouth harbor -would accommodate direct shipping. Several considered it might be a useful port, and possibly the provincial port. Six ocean liners had, however, berthed there during the last few months, and two more would berth next month. The board was perfectly right in explaining the position and asking them to attend and discuss it. The new Bill provided for power to raise £300,000 in such amounts as required. It gave No. 3 area the same right as at present, only to be rated if it chose. It provided for the differential rate as already in existence, namely, a maximum of |d in the first area, Jd in the second, and %d in the third, and if the maMmum rate had to be struck it would be a very small amount. It had been stated that the rotes in the boroughs would swamp the counties. This was an error, as the voting was on the county franchise, with a maximum of three votes. The financial position was that the present loan was exhausted in paying off the old loan and in purchasing the new dredge and making the breakwater. The board had either to raise more money to finish the work or to stop. By stopping it would be necessary to strike a small rate, as the total deficiency next August would be £SOOO.

SAVING BY DIRECT SHIPPING. He pointed out the saving to raiepayers in imports by having direct shipping to New Plymouth, showing that on every ton of basic slag there was a saving by direct shipping of 15s to 17s 6d. Ten years ago not more than 100 tons of basic slag were used, whereas before

the war 6000 tons came in. The same saving applied to superphosphate and other manures, making a total of 12,000 to 14,000 tons, and after the war much more manure would be required. Not only was there a saving in money by shipping manure direct, but there was also a saving of the loss by so much handling. Another big item was fie saving on benzine, which he estimated at Is Od per case on 80,000 cases to realise £GOOO. This had not been calculated on a few years ago, but already four or five boatloads 'had arrived, and two or three more would do so in the near future. A three-masted schooner at the breakwater had brought benzine, and was now loading pelts, flax, etc., some of which had been railed from Wellington and Falmerston North. As further showing the saving in produce exported

lie instanced the case of the Whakatane, which, while loading meat at the breakwftter, took 29,000 boxes of butter, owing to the Corinna not being available, thus saving the shipping company £684. There was no reason to fear that any rate would be struck if they came in. The ultimate result would be visits from regular liners, and they would centralise in New Plymouth produce from far down the country. The shipping companies had arranged with him ten years ago that as soon as a certain amount of work was done they irould send their boats, and already they had berthed si.v. starting with the Waiwera, whicji berthed at low water, and followedTbv five other larger vessels. At present they could accommodate the largest and second lnrgest classes that came to New Zealand, but he had been given a promise that if they added KOO feet to the breakwater, so as to give more shelter regular ships would call and remove their dairy produce.

THE CRUX OF THE POSITION. That was the crux of the position, and he had no reason to doubt that the shipping companies would keep to their agreement. It had been asked what was to become of the £170,000 invested in Patea. and lie had been accused of saying "scrap it." What lie did say was that if it was found that regular boats eaine to New Plymouth it would pay to "scrap" it. Patca works had proved of great advantage in the past, but they, had to look to the future. He admitted that there were differences of opinion, but it was well to carefully look into the question. Mr. Corrigan had stated at Mangatoki, ajid also at Patea, that

Ho had interviewed the manager of the Shaw Savill Company in London seven years ago and had suggested that the boats might call round at the various [wrts, such as New Plymouth, and sc save the expense of coastal freights. The general manger had replied that the ;rend of shipping companies was to federate and go in for larger ships. They had no yitcntion of running round to all the ports in New Zealand. On the contrary their plan was to concentrate at the four main ports and load from there. In order to do this it would suit them to pay freights.

Mr. King said he had waited on the general manager three years previously and been told diametrically the opposite. r When Mr. Corrigan visited T<ondon boats were already calling at coastal ports, so it was unnecessary for Mr. Corrigan to tearir the general manager his business. Mr. Corrign: Don't be sarcastic! Continuing, Mr. King said that as far m ha knew there was no question of. .Miritoi, «lr «aft v .jft>feitafc

come in since the war. He also found -that instead of building larger ships the companies were building ships rather smaller than the largest trading to New Zealand at present, though a certain class of small boat would not be rebuilt. He had telegraphed the .Shaw Savill Company, and found that during the past six years they had built three boats of an average gross tonnage of 11,500, net tonnage 507:1, 7509, ami 0005 tons respectively, and were now building three more of a similar size. These were smaller than the Athenie (12,204), Corinthic (12,237), and lonic (12,232).

ARRIVAL OF LINERS. Mr. King also referred to Mr. Corrigan having said that only an occasional tramp steamer visited New Plynioutn, and he enumerated the vessels, showing they were liners trading between England and New Zealand, and not tramp steamers, which went from port to port in any country. He admitted that they were not fast liners, and reiterated that all that was required now was shelter, ,so as to stop windage. Shipping companies were losing £10,970 per annum on the 140,000 crates of cheese and 120,000 boxes of butter that were sliipped from New Plymouth to Wellington, and with that shipped from Putea about £25,000 per annum. As the boats were coming to New Plymouth to load meat it seemed absurd to thinic they would continue to lose that.

Mr. C. E. McGuinness, representative for the district on the Board, said that at the four previous meetings resolutions favoring the scheme had been passed. At Mangatoki they had expected to get beaten, but had carried the day by 10 to 9, and of these latter four'might be called professional voters, and one had never been in the hail before.

Mr. Corrigan: Why not say at once that I was the fly in the ointment.

Mr. McGuinness said it would be a great advantage to the district to have direct shipping, and ho was pleased to see the younger men vote for it. Mr. Marx: Want of experience!

Mr. McGuinness: The older men are afraid of spending. He strongly supported the scheme, and recommended everyone to do so. Even if the whole rate were struck he would willingly pay

Mr. Wilkinson" opened by remarking that he was pleased to see such a good attendance, especially of the principal opponents of the scheme, who Bhould, if they did not win there, go 'home and give up the ghost. So far their opponents had' been beaten everywhere.

Mr. Corrigan: We've got a chairman here who can count!

Mr Wilkinson took exception to this reflection on the chairman of a previous meeting, whom he considered a man of the highest integrity. Mr. Corrigan said that no reflection was intended, and added: "If you win here, it's a walk-over."

A GOOD BUSINESS PROPOSITION.

Mr. Wilkinson: I believe that. Continuing, Mr. Wilkinson said he was going to do his best to show that the proposed scheme was a good business proposition and a good investment, and would benefit the province to an enormous extent—and that district would benefit with the rest. Ten years ago the district, suffered from the imposition of a, heavy rate, and a pyoposal was made providing not only for the repayment of tho debt and the improvement of the harbor, but also for a lesser rate. Those proposals were com batted by some of the people who were opposed to the present scheme, and used tho stock argument that the money would be thrown into the sea and wasted. Those lV.eerested in the present scheme said the harbor could be made to pay, and that a rate would not be .'-truck, or, if it were, it would he so small as not to he worth collecting in the third area. Mr. C'orrigan: Why bother about the third area, then?

Mr. Wilkinson: Because we cfcnt get along without the third area as security for the loan. A CHALLENGE.

Continuing;, Mr. Wilkinson criticised the action of Messrs Pease and Corrigan for making statements at Patea which they did not repeat at Mangaloki. Mr. Corrigan had said: "If Mr. Wilkinson is going to fret (lie ratepayers in his constituency to pledge their land to back tliis wild eat scheme at New Plymouth, he may find that at next election we'll hack the right horse, and it won't be him." Mr. Wilkinson said that as Mr. Corrigan did not have a vote in his electorate the only way he could put the speaker out was to stand against him. and he invited Mr. Corrigan to do this. Mr. Aatbury: But what about inc! (Laughter.! Mr. Wilkinson said it had never been suggested by members of the board that Patea should be scrapped. Patea was quite a useful river port. He wished to impress on them that he wanted to do do something better than was being done now either at. Patea or New 'Plymouth.

Mr. Powdrell: We can't get i>; done cheaper. We get our produce taken to Wellington for nothing.

BOARD HAD KfiPT FAITH. Mr. Wilkinson: Surely, as a keen business man, you can't expect lo get it always for nothing. When the present contract expires a dilVerent contract might be made. On meat they had to pay ennsta I -freight, said Mr. Wilkinson, and it was only reasonable, to suppose they would have to do so on butter and cheese, as the shipping companies would not pay it any longer than phased them. "No one could say that tiie Harbor Board had not done all and more than was promised ten years'ago, when tlie previous loan was raised. They hid studied the interests of the ratepayers in a marked degree, had carried on the work at- a low cost, and conserved their resources. They had made a harbor to which Home boats could come and had not hod a rate to pay. He wanted that point to be hammered in. Out of the £131.00(1 available they had also purchased a dredge at a co?t of £35,000, probably worth more than that to-day, and had" £30,000 in the sinking fund. '

Mr. Astbury: You are bound by Act of Parliament. Mr. Wilkinson: We have dons il. without a rate. I Raid ten years ago tliat in all probability a small rate would be struck. : A voice: There will now.

Mr. Wilkinson: Not for the nest ten yers if you take our advice now. Mr. Corrigan: With « double dose after!

PURELY A BUSINESS QTJESHON 1 . Mr. Wilkinson said that what had been done in the past entitled the board to ask the ratepayers to place continued confidence in them. Bis own interests to tfewi*-because hs-<gaa

la, rat-payer in the third area, without I a sixpence of interest in New Plymouth. He was not fighting for New Plymoutlu It was purely a question of business. The board wanted to be fair, and would say that the scheme would not go on until the third area came in, as they would not ask the first and- second areas to take it on themselves.

Mr. Astbury: Why shouldn't they? They will get the benefit. Mr. Wilkinson: Why should they? You want a deep sea harbor for nothing. Continuing, Mr. Wilkinson said that Mr. Marx had sat at the board table for six years and endorsed every proposal, and now, as ten years ago, was opposed to the scheme.

Coming to the question as to Whether the port was worth while, Mr. Wilkinson said that large sums had been saved producers in manures by direct shipment. This he knew, because he could not compete against it. Facilities were more and more required, and the port would save producers larger sums than hitherto. They had heard from Mr. King about the saving in benzine, and he would state that but for the direct shipments Taranaki would have been without benzine.

Mr. Corrigan: I'll sell it cheaper. . Mr. Wilkinson: I'll offer to buy if you can name your price.

Mr. Corrigan: Of course, I've got to limit the quantity! Mr. Wilkinson: Yon see Tie goes up when cornered. Supplies of benzine were controlled in Wellington, and only four weeks' supply could be obtained from there. He had ordered 400 or 500 cases of benzine from Wellington, and when the shipment came he could only get 20 cases. THE SOUTHERN PRODUCE.

It had also been said that South Taranaki was better supplied through Patea, but he asserted that all southern produce came through New Plymouth, as Patea boats did not regularly to the South island. Mr. Powdrell: That is so.

Mr. Wilkinson said that if they depended on the Patea boats for their southern produce they would have to pay a higher freight, and it was questionable whether their carrying capacity was large enough to cope with the trade. The largest boat only carried 140 tons as against cargoes of 1000 tons to New Plymouth. Mr. Powdrell: When our loan is spen' we will have boats like New Plymouth

Mr. Wilkinson pointed out that even if a rate were paid the saving would justify it. The whole province was now paying a heavy tribute to Auckland and Wellington, and he did not think this should bo allowed to continue a moment longer than was necessary. Taranaki was the richest province' in New Zealand, its exports being more per head than those ot any other part, and it should import and export thorugh its own gateway, thus saving a pound per ton.

IN TIMES OP STRIKE. Again, so long as they continued shipping to Wellington there would always be the risk of waterside strikes (as in 1013) holding up their produce. There was not the same risk at New Plymouth. In any case, it would be easier for tho farmers to go to New Plmouth to load (heir own stuff, as they had done at Wellington.

valuable" ENDOWMENTS. Tie referred to the splendid endowments the board hod in the shape of its revenue from Crown lands, remarking that that revenue had been set aside in the early days by the Government because it was recognised that a harbor was a national necessity on the west coast, and that New Plymouth was the only suitable place. No ship hat! been held up at New Plymouth during the past twenty years, and he instanced the manner in which the Rarawa had entered the port during the heavy gale recently. The harbor also had a lot of other reserves, which ten years ago were worth £IOOO per annum, and to-day were worth £2500. He did not think ho would be exaggerating a bit if he said they would have in the near future an income from endowments alone •of £IO,OOO. To show that the people of South Taranaki had confidence in their own district, he pointed out that the Hawera Hospital Board was going in for an expenditure-of £OO,OOO for a new hospital, whilst the hoard asked the whole district to undertake a. capital expenditure of £300,000. Some appeared to be afraid of the magnitude of the scheme. Tt was really a small matter, hut its benefits wore immeasurable.

In reply to a query from Mr. Corrigan as to the completed cost of the scheme, Mr. Wilkinson said that there was no finality to any harbor scheme, but £300,000 would do what they required now. They were asking the No. 3 area to take only one-third the liability they were taking in New Plymouth.

Mr. Powdrell: But our land is more valuable.

Mr. Wilkinson referred to the efforts made to include in the Patea Harbor District an area, of 100.000 acres at the hack of Kltlmm and Stratford., which never used the harbor. He- then referred to the statements mode, that South Taranaki had £170,000 invented in the Patea works, etc.'. and fisid that a proportion of this was sutsidc ti:s Ko. 3 area.

Air. Pease said the amwut was £7") ,000.

IS WWW MAM :".T POimt TARAXAKT FACTORIES.

Mr. Wilkinson refuted the statements made by the chairman of the Paten Refrigerating Company regarding the savings made by factories shipping through Patea and New Plymouth. He instanced Hawera, where, instead of a saving, as olleged, of £7OO, via Patea, the saving would be via New Plymouth lis per ton on 18fif> tons, or £1022. This was made up as follows:—via New Plymouth, 39 miles, railage 12s 2d, wharfage 2s—l4s •2d' via I'atea, railage 5» 2(1, wharfage »s sea freight Has; Wellington, wharfja4 lis: total £1 iis 2d per ton. Simi- ' larlv the saving on the P3lO tons railed from'Hawera Would to £3750 9s instead of the savirig claimed via Patea ol £2b.)S 8s =>d On produce railed from Normanby the" saving would bo 12s per ton or £(1908 'l4s, instead of 7s Id, or £1126 12s Id, as claimed via. Patea, From Mtham the saving would be 14s lOd per ton on £1003 ; as against 3s lid per ton on £422 4s from Patea. This was not, a rival scheme to Patea in regard to the shipment of produce, but, the question was: Could they not load the teats at. New Plvmouth and avoid the payment of coastal "freight to Wellington?" _ Mr. PowdTell reiterated that the freight was now paid by the shipping companies. Mr. Wilkinson: It will not be for long. Mr. Astbury: How do you know? Mr. Wilkinson said when that day came, the ratepayers would blame the representatives of the Harbor Board vi they had . not put -the -position fljei<we.j ithem.

Mr. Powdrall: Yon will not use any influence to have the payment of coastal freight taken off? Mr. Wilkinson: No; 1 will try and help to have it kept on. Iwant the .producers to save money.

Mr. Powdrell: If you show u& a saving of a penny, you will have every mother's son with you to New Plymouth. (Hear, hear.) Continuing, Mr. Wilkinson said the savings mentioned would be more pronounced when the railway got through to rManaia or Auroa, as the distance from. Auroa to iPatea was 43 miles and from Auroa to New Plymouth 00 miles, the railway difference Being only 2s 2d. As far as Kaupokonui was concerned, there would he a saving in cartage also, including the toll. Mr. Powdrell: You're going to get that off. Mr. Wilkinson: That toll-gate will eome off, if it is within my power to pull it off.

ENTHUSIASM OF THE 'YOUNGER MEN.

'. Mr. <D- J. 'Hughes said he noted with pleasure the enthusiasm of the younger men over the question.' It had been said that certain members of the hoard would benefit by the scheme. That- referred to Messrs King, Wilkinson, and Bellringer, but he considered they would benefit less than anyone. The hoard was out to do its best for the people of the district. Farmers were combining and branching out in co-operative ventures every year, and he looked forward to the day when they would have warehouses of their own in New Plymouth and do away with the middle man. K they did not support progress, they would not he doing their duty to their children. If they turned down the scheme, they would be no better off. because they would perhaps have a small rate, whereas, when, they got the ocean liners here and devy.oped their resources they would have absolutely no rate. The bulk of his property was in No. 3 area, and he was not afraid. IPatea need not be killed. It would still send its produce, by boat to the nearest port, and New Plymouth was 75 miles as against Wellington 113. They must minimise the cost of production to meet the increased taxation after the war.

Mr. Maxwell thought it was a grave reflection on the. members of the Now Plymouth Harbor 'Board that a ratepayer should thinlk one of them should so fafl forget himself as to endeavor to have the payment of coastal freight taken off. A voice: The members are so cocksure.

PROTECTING RATEPAYERS' INTERESTS.

Mr. Maxwell said that he joined the Harbor Board 25 years ago to protect the interests of the ratepayers, and then to .provide a harjor. He was a ratepayer of the third are*, with no interests in New Plymouth. He detailed tho fight that he had. had in connection with the Bill of 1908 Wore he gained his point that the land endowment fund, as well as at least £4500 from revenue, should he set aside 'before one single far 'thing of rate was collected. When tho Bill passed, 1 per cent, sinking fund was added, representing £3OOO. As showing how carefully the hoard had gone int, < the question, he pointed out that up till ■I9OB a heavy rate had been levied, whereas, despite the extra £3OOO sinking fund, no rate had since been struck. {Regarding the expenditure of the previous loan, the board, at the time, put before ratepayers a certain proposition, and he had stated that the expenditure of the £06,000 remaining a£ter payment of old loan, cost of dredge, etc., would be warranted to improve the port as a coastal port. As to whether it would be an ocean port, he never gave a guarantee. The chairman had said it would accommodate ocean boats, and he had proved a true prophet., As far as financial obligations were concerned, the board had done more than it undertook. It had increased tho depth of water from 10ft to 12ft at the wharf to 30ft, and from 12ft to 17ft. in the channel to 25ft, and, in places 30ft and 33ft at low water. At Tiniaru there was only 31ft at the entrance. The board now came before ratepayers with another proposal under somewhat different conditions. Before they wore paying a-heavy rate. Under the old scheme he candidly believed there would be no rate, A clause had been introduced into the old loan for their protection, that, they were not to be subject to a further loan. The board, however, had vindicated the position and wcto entirely justified in asking them to consent to borrow a further amount. To do so they must have ample security. 1 Tho annual charge, would be" £16.000, the proposed .rate as .security equalling £21,000, and to get the necessary balance of security they would require to include the whole area. Mr.. Powdrell: That would make us liable to an additional fartb ing.

Mr. Maxwell said they did not want the rate, but the security. If the scheme was carried out, the chances ot imposing a rate would lie very remote,

and if there was a rate'it would be very small. They intended to convert the port from one that..would accommodate certain ocean boats, to one that would accommodate the 7ar.ge l st, when they would get a regular fortnightly service, and thus ship all their produce. He wished the port of Patea every success, but no one had ever suggested it should be an ocean port. We must have a port on the West Coast, and the only place to make it was N<vw Frymoutii. No one 'biit realised it was to his interests to have an ocean port. It woiiH iie a tremendous advantage to load their produce direct on the ocean boats, as this schema 1 would b/ing to pass in a very few years. A few years ago they did not. know the possibilities of the port, but had now proved tbem, but they liad to_ provide shelter because time-table boats •could not -be delayed, and would not come until the possibility of delay was removed. When they had the assurane* qf regailar boats at New Plymouth, he felt certain South Taranaki would see the advantages and ship their produce. The point, therefore, was, Will you comer in and join in Winging: a/bout this mag' nifieent scheme?

NO AXE TO (SRIHD. i He had no 1140 to gr'md, hut was studying the interests of the ratepayers as fanners and producers, flwz' lot of manure, he pointed oat, would save the whole lot of the rate they would 1* pl.-dged to. The terms of the present Bill were equitable ami the ejcpendiimre warranted, and they had the opportii- ! nity of raising the district front one with a wayside, port to a district with ttr* third port in New Zealand. Mr. Blair Masosjbriefly explained the sclicme from the plan. The water in New Plymouth was equal to that of any »bai*or in Mew Zealand, and the deepest draught vessel tha; cwr left Wellington 32ft) could have left New Plymouth. There was shelter for vessels 360 days in the year, but the companies wolud {Poatinujed on nest page.)