Harbour Board Wants Govt. To Pay Wharfage

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30452, 28 May 1964, Page 3

Harbour Board Wants Govt. To Pay Wharfage

(New Zealand Press Association)

DUNEDIN, May 27. If the Otago Harbour Board ■ has to pay rates on its land, , it can see no reason why Gov- ] ernment departments should , not pay wharfage charges on ■ their imports. The general manager of the ; board (Mr W. Keir) told the i

board at its meeting today that the question of rating of lands occupied by the board was under consideration by the Harbours Association.

He said submissions have already been made to the special Government committee set up to deal with the problem.

“No decision has yet been reached, but, in ahy case, we have consistently brought up the question of wharfage dues on Government goods and the Harbours Association has taken this up on our behalf,” said Mr Keir.

“If it is fair and rational for us to pay rates on our harbour works properties then it should be fair and rational for government departments to pay wharfage on their imports,” Mr Keir said.

In reply to a question by Captain J. B. McGowan, Mr Keir said the Otago Harbour Board lost between £BOOO and £lO,OOO a year because the Government did not pay wharfage dues. The rates for harbour board property in Dunedin would be about £3OOO, he said.