INCREASE SOUGHT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 91, 18 April 1941, Page 5

INCREASE SOUGHT

HARBOUR CHARGES.

APPLICATION ADJOURNED.

(P.A.) WELLIXGTOX, Thursday. An application by the Wellington Harbour Board for authority to increase V 10 per cent the dues and charge* pay-j ab 'e under its by-laws, and also to *mend the cord storage charges on «heese and fruit, was heard by the Price investigation Tribunal to-day. The grounds for the application were inereased working costs, principally due j» increased wages to the board's perstaff and to watersides. Mr. f" f - _P'Shea, secretary of the Xew Zea«nd Farmers , L'-.ii.,,,, appeared to oppose wp increase.

-Air. p. \v, [.;,.,,,, fol . t] , o lloard . ,- aid "e policy of the b,.ard had nlwavs been to frame its by-law "charge* J.'tn a view to producing only such marts n of revenue over expenditure as «; o uld suffice to cover working and standing charges and provide a reserve mnd for contingencies.

Emphasising the fact that there was »° intention to quarrel with the financial Policy of the 'board, the statement prepared by the |.\-,r,.,Prs- Tnion opposing , ne increase pointed out that the board B'iould be able to draw on its tremendous 1 instead of iiicrea.-ing it* rate*. *w application might l>e held over for months, the board in the mean_une_ bringing its expenditure more in Keeping with the position demanded by :? e Present financial and economic situation in the Dominion.

Misunderstanding. j Mr. Justice Hunter said the tribunal *as loth to approve increases at preeent. through a misunderstanding the ca**lad not been presented as the tribunal : Would have wished. It would therefore ' w adjourned to enable the board's representatives to till in certain gaps in the EHj!«Wination available. He suggested the board might also take advantage of the ■': Mjourninent to consider the ■ whole I Batter afresh and see whether it was

not possible to hold over the application | ■it least until the end of the financial j vear.

"It i< a long time since the decision to apply for the increases wa~ made.' , iir said, "and the position of the country has radically altered miioo then. Tiie board may feel the question should be considered afreeh."

The adjournment was made provisionally until after the May meeting- of the board, but his Honor stated that if the board wished to resume earlier the tribunal would agree to do so.

Replying to hi* Honor. Mr. T?eed said ho had coiiio to the trihmial under ;i misapprehension. An odicor of the tribunal had investigated the n\<r and the facts had been placed before him. Consequently, he (Mr. Heed) concluded that when he attended the hearing it would be merely for cross-examination.

"We are not blaming you at all. Mr. Reed," eaid his Honor. "At one stage there was not to have been a public hearing, but when it was decided the hearing should be public- it was essential the board's case' should be fully presented.

'•I do not think any harm ha« been done."" he added. "Probn-bly the adjournment N all to the good."