Freights Report Date

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30862, 22 September 1965, Page 1

Freights Report Date

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 21. The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Marshall) said today the final report on an inquiry into freight differentials between the North and South Islands would be ready about the end of the year.

Mr Marshall was replying to an urgent question asked in Parliament by Mrs E. E. McMillan (Opp., Dunedin North) in conjunction with Mr W. A. Fraser (Opp., St. Kilda) and Mr B. P. Macdonell (Opp., Dunedin Central). The question was based on what Mrs McMillan called “the damaging effects of the present spasmodic shipping service between Wellington and Dunedin.” She said such service resulted in Otago manufacturing industries having to pay additional freight charges and experiencing delays in getting their products, particularly perishable goods, to Wellington.

Moreover, imported essential raw materials to keep factories in production were being held up in Wellington. Mrs McMillan asked the Minister if he would take immediate action to rectify “the present serious position” and ensure a regular service in the future. Mr Marshall said the Government for some time had been aware of the problems for South Island manufactur-

ing industries generally arising from the availability and cost of freight services. He told the House that in February he authorised an inquiry into freight differentials between the islands. An initial report was prepared in April. Two department officers visited Canterbury and Otago, and a questionnaire was now being sent to manufacturers and other business interests.

Mr Marshall said the questionnaires would be returned in about a month. Results would take about two months to analyse, so that the final report would be ready about the end of the year. The Minister reminded the House that the question of port development, including requirements of the coastal trade, was under examination by the recently established trainsport commission.