WHARF HANDLING COST CHANGE

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31151, 30 August 1966, Page 1

WHARF HANDLING COST CHANGE

“Part Should Be In Freight Rate”

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, August 29.

The Transport Commission into wharf handling charges has recommended that a proportion of wharf handling costs for inward cargo—at present being paid by the consignee—should be met by the shipowner and included in the standard freight rate.

This would reduce wharf handling charges by varying amounts at each port and increase the standard freight rate applying to all ports by an amount a ton equivalent to the increased cost to the shipping companies.

The recommendation was contained in the report of the Transport Commission which recently looked into the principles and structure of wharf handling charges for vessels of the New Zealand European Shipping Association.

The report was released today by the Minister of Labour and chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Overseas Shipping (Mr Shand) Mr Shand said it was hoped the changes would meet the main objections raised at the Transport Commission's hearing that under the present system, highly mechanised

The commission also recommended the retention of the existing method of charging full wharf handling costs in respect of export cargoes—a scheme which has operated in all ports since January 1.

Other recommendations made by the commission in its report are:—

That the Government should mate legislative provision in respect of a statutory procedure for fixing wharf handling charges in future, with provision for rights of objection ..nd appeal and for the review of such charges from time to time. That the Government should make legislative provision in respect of the

proper functions and powers of harbour boards in relation to the fixing and recovery of wharf handling charges. That for the purpose of distinguishing wharf handling operations from stevedoring operations on board ship, the line of demarcation between such operations should be at the ship’s hook on the wharf.

ports were subsidising other ports.