Export of coal: board chairman questioned

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32701, 2 September 1971, Page 15

Export of coal: board chairman questioned

The chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board (Mr F. I. Sutton) was asked at the board’s meeting yesterday if there was any guarantee that coal for export from the West Coast would pass through the port of Lyttelton.

He declined to answer,; but said that the matter would be discussed later. I It was not discussed before the board went into committee.

The revenue for the present financial year (ending on September 30) was not as good as he had hoped, the general manager (Mr A. J. Sowden) reported to the Lyttelton Harbour Board yesterday.

“This position will have to be watched fairly closely after the end of the financial year,” Mr Sowden said. He said that it was not possible to say what increase in wages and salaries the board would face in view of claims being negotiated at present.

It was reported that the board was involved in three national award negotiations. Mr Sowden said that the position of revenue, as

against increased costs, would decide whether port charges would have to be increased.

A decrease of 6439 tons in cargo through the port in the financial year to August 23 compared with the cor-

I responding period last year (was reported. ■ Mr Sowden said, however, that cargo was keeping up

and it would be interesting to see the position at the end of this month, the end of the financial year.