Oxford Support For Container Port

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32034, 8 July 1969, Page 1

Oxford Support For Container Port

The Oxford County Council agreed yesterday to support the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce in pressing for a container port for the South Island, and hopes that all other South Island local bodies will act similarly.

“This is an opportune moment, when it’s such a contentious issue, that this council, representing Oxford County ratepayers, should support any organisations pressing for a container port,” said Cr C. C. Austin.

Forty per cent of exports from New Zealand came from the South Island, but under the suggested port system all this would be transported by a single line railway through rugged country to Picton, he said. “I think this is the first county to bring this up, but I hope we can get the support of every other local body in the South Island.” Cr Austin recommended that no port be specified, although Timaru and Lyttelton probably were the main contenders, he said. He regarded the controlling authorities of both as stable, worthy bodies well able to put their cases to the Government.

Whether Lyttelton or Timaru should be a container port or whether another roll-on ferry should be provided did not matter, said the chairman (Mr A. M. Henderson). That there be a container port in

the South Island was the main issue.

“I’m parochial for the South Island, but we're not capable of deciding whether Lyttelton or Timaru should be the container port," commented Cr Austin. . Cr W. M. Dailey recommended that the council specify which port it supported for a container service. Then other local bodies would be able to see what the council was doing and follow its example. . ’