A FREE PORT?

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 40, 17 February 1937, Page 11

A FREE PORT?

AUCKLAND'S DREAM.

HARBOUR BOARD CHARGES.

COMPARISONS TO BE MADE.

When the annual report of the Auckland Harbour Hoard wa« discussed «t yesterday's statutory meeting Mr. E. J. Phelun .-aid that harbour charges should be seriously considered during tin- coining year. He suggested that details of charges made by other board* throughout the Dominion should be obtained in order that comparison could be made. If the board's charges compared favourably with other port* the board would have the euti*faction of knowing that it had done its duty, but if the board was overcharging and driving trade away then the position would have to be remedied. Mr. A. Sutherland said that primary producers were having a fairly hard time and a lowering of charges would be of great benefit to them. Mr. Harvey Turner: It would be wonderful if Auckland wag in a position to run a free port. The chairman, Mr. C. G. Macindoe: It U our dream. Mr. Turner said that Auckland wae probably the cheapest port in New Zealand and had the best facilities. The lower the charges were made the more encouragement would there be for trade, and that would benefit the city and the farmers. Reduction of charges was a fine ideal to work toward*.

The chairman snid he would bring down at an early date a return ehowing the charges made at other port*. Auckland had always aimed at a reduction in charge!.