PORT OF NEW PLYMOUTH

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1940, Page 6

PORT OF NEW PLYMOUTH

The figures submitted at yesterday's meeting of the New Plymouth Harbour Board were a tribute not only to the continued development of the Taranaki deep sea port but to the productivity of the province. Exports for the eleven months ending August 31 exceeded the year's record established two years ago, and although imports ,show a decrease when compared iwith those handled at the port last year they were more substantial than appeared probable in view of the Government's import restriction policy and the further restriction brought about by the war. The total trade of the port this year will be little below the record established in 1938-39. The chief increases in exports were in frozen meat and cheese, two commodities placed in the forefront of Great Britain's requirements during the war. Last month one vessel loaded the record shipment of 3000 tons of dairy produce, and other vessels have since been dispatched very heavily laden. Such figures are a happy augury of the increased output of dairy produce it is hoped to establish during the present export season. Imports of fertiliser have continued to be substantial, a further contribution to increased production, and importations of petrol have shown a large increase in the past eleven months. The trafhc at the port for the period under review is another vindication of the claim that the New Plymouth harbour must be regarded as one of the main ports of the Dominion. The traffic has been handled without diffkulty, and the foresight of the harbour board in providing the necessary equipment has been amply justified. In war conditions the value to Taranaki of its deep sea port is unmistakable. Prompter dispatch or unloading, less handling of goods and therefore less chance of depreciation in their value, are but some of the advantages the province derives. They c^uld be increased if the Government would agree to less onerous railway freight charges between the port and the town, and if it would permit the price of petrol to be established on the basis that applies at other main ports.