Inquiry Into Ports’ Plans

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31029, 7 April 1966, Page 3

Inquiry Into Ports’ Plans

(N.Z. Press Association» ROTORUA, April 6. A Transport Commission official said today that an inquiry would definitely be held into the development of the ports of Auckland and Tauranga. The chairman of the commission (Judge K. J. Archer) had recommended this to the Minister of Transport (Mr McAlpine). In recent months the Auckland Harbour Board has been seeking a special inquiry into port development at Tauranga and advocates of the proposed Waikato river-Manakau harbour canal system have also been pressing their case.

[Added to this is the fact that [overseas shipping is really not [keen to enter Tauranga because of its closeness to Auckland. Mr 11. E. Carter, chairman of the Tauranga Harbour Board, said today that the Dairy Board had pressed his board, “time and time again” for urgently required coolstorage facilities at M*. Maunganui. “1 cannot emphasise too much the urgency with which the Dairy Board has stressed that cool storage be available at Mt. Maunganui wharf by 1967," he said. “My Board views with alarm any move which could have the effect of delaying the provision of this urgently needed extra storage for export butter." Mr Carter said the Tau-

Iranga board was to seek an lempowering bill during the looming session of Parliament I for the construction of an- ■ other 700 ft berth. "The district cannot afford this necessary expansion to be hindered in any shape or form.” he said. "For many weeks the berthage space at Mt. Maunganui has been taxed to its utmost and with trade increasing any delay in the provision of additional berthage will react to the economic detriment of both producers, shippers and shipping interests. “My board simply cannot he frustrated in its construction programme and looks to every organisation affected or likely to be affected by the port of Tauranga to support it firmly in stemming opposition to this very necessary development."