HARBOR FREIGHTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 August 1922, Page 6

HARBOR FREIGHTS.

ON MAIN PORT FOOTING. CONCESSION TO NEW PLYMOUTH. (EFFORTS OF MR. KING. The shipping companies trading to the port of New Plymouth have consented to put the port, on the same footing as the main New Zealand porta with regard to rates of freight from the United Kingdom. This information, which will be welcome news to all Taranaki importers, was placed before the Harbor Board by Messrs. Newton King, Ltd. (local agents for the Shaw, Savill and Albion Co.), at a special meeting of the board yesterday. There were present: Messrs. C. E. Bellringer (-chairman), Newton King, C. H. Burgess, J. McCluggage, J. S. Connett, D. T. Hughes and E. Maxwell. The letter from the shipping company’s agents read, under date July 29:—“We are enclosing copy of a letter received from the Shaw, Savill and Albion Co.’s London office, by which you will see that the shipping companies trading to the port have now agreed to put New Plymouth on the same footing as the main ports with regard to rates of freight from the United Kingdom. This is now a permanent arrangement, and does not refer to one particular shipment only. The concession, no doubt, will be as gratifying to importers as it is to us, in view of the fact that we have been urging it upon our principals for the past two or three years. It, now rests with Taranaki importers to see that sufficient cargo is forthcoming to enable the service to be regularly maintained without loss to the shipping companies.” THE COMPANY'S DECISION.

The enclosed letter, from the London office of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Co., written under date June 7, reads: “We have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of March 23, and have perused with much interest all you write concerning shipments from this side to your port, and also with regard to the steamers which have called there to deliver and load cargo. The question of putting your port on the direct port rate footing has been duly considered by ourselves and the other companies interested, and it has been decided that for the future cargo delivered at New Plymouth direct will be put on the same footing as the principal ports in the Dominion, and we have ho doubt that this will be satisfactory to you. You will, of course, understand that direct port delivery is dependent upon the quantity of cargo offering at any particular time being sufficient to justify the visit to New Plymouth. and we trust the concession made, will have the effect of increasing the quantity of goods, other than slag and other low freight-paying goods, so as to offer greater inducement for direct visits.”

Mr. Hughes said that the board had to thank Mr. King, who had made every endeavor for the whole of Taranaki. Mr. McCluggage particularly stressed the fact that the farming community owed thanks to Mr. King for the valuable services he had rendered in th? direction of freight concessions. The news was very gratifying indeed, said Mr. Connett, who hoped that next year the whole export produce of Taranaki would be shipped direct from New Plymouth. The fact that second-class boats, such as the Pakeha, were visiting New Plymouth’s port showed that we were getting on towards that desirable end. There was no question but that direct shipping would give a great impetus to our export trade. NECESSITY FOR NEW WHARF-

The chairman expressed the opinion that New Plymouth was being given a status in the shipping world which must account for something. The board wanted to push on with the construction of the new wharf. The board had been criticised rather freely, but the speaker believed that criticism which was not based on ignorance of the position was helpful. A lot of work was being done under water, which could not yet be seen. But th? new wharf was the acute thing, for shipping companies must be given all the accommodation needed. Since the beginning of the year the port had averaged two liners a month, whereas only a short time ago a liner once in two months had been aimed at. Overlapping sometimes took place, and prevented the quick despatch desirable. There will be a still bigger increase in overseas trade, the speaker predicted. when the new wharf is built, upon which the future progress of the port largely depended. Shipping companies were even now recognising the port as one they could come to with safety and profit. Th? submerged part of the breakwater extension was having an appreciable effect in giving a calm area inside. All the members of the board were unanimous, ho was sure, thatshipping should extended and New Plymouth made the great port, of the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. The chairman concluded by paying a tribute to the energies of Mr. King in the matter. On the motion of Mr. Maxwell, seconded by Mr. Connett, it was resolved: “That the thanks of the board be tendered to Mr. King for his efforts in getting New Plymouth placed on the same footing as the main ports in New Zealand regarding freights, which has now met with success.”

In returning thanks, Mr. King said it was very pleasant to he able to announce reduction in freights, as this meant a lot to Taranaki, placing the province, as it did. on th? same footing as Auckland and Wellington.