17 contesting seats on Harbour Board

Press, 23 September 1980, Page 21

17 contesting seats on Harbour Board

Local body candidates

With few exceptions, candidates standing for election to the Lyttelton Harbour Board are in agreement on most of the issues which have been raised regarding the growth and development of the port. Seventeen candidates are standing for the eight contested seats on the 13member board, with 10 of them contesting the five seats representing the City of Christchurch and split evenly between Labour and Citizens’ candidates. The two seats representing the counties of Pa= parua, Malvern, Ellesmere, and Heathcote are being sought by five candidates. There are two contenders for the single seat representing Waimairi County and the Borough of Riccarton. Issues put forth by the candidates include the reintroduction of a Lyttel-ton-Wellington freight and passenger ferry service, the purchase of a new tug, greater promotion of the port to ensure that most Canterbury exports are moved through the port, rigid rules on the handling and storage of liquefied petroleum gas, and the continued export of West Coast coal through Lyttelton. Other matters raised by the candidates include better small craft facilities, general upgrading of the port’s cargo handling fac* ilities, efforts to maintain good industrial relations, expansion of the container terminal, and the providing of a better service to the fishing industry. The five sitting members of the board representing the City of . Christchurch are all seeking reelection. They are Captain A. R. Champion (Citizens); Mr J. F. Davidson (Labour); Mr M. J. Dobson (Labour); Sir Robert Macfarlane (Labour); and J. R. Skellerup (Citizens). The opposing candidates are Captain C. M. Anderson (Citizens), Mr M. L. Rooney (Citizens), Mr T, G. Smith (Labour), Mr J. Twomey (Citizens), and Ms J. M. Waters (Labour), Captain C. M. Anderson C a p t a i n Anderson served in _ the Merchant: Service from 1942 to 1964, attaining the rank of captain in 1956. He is the manager of the Lyttelton Stevedoring

Company and a member of the Institute of Nautical Surveyors. Four times appointed nautical advisor by the Minister of Marine, he has been compass adjuster for Lyttelton and Timaru since 1967. He said: “I support the policy of the Christchurch Citizens Association and intend to use my extensive knowledge and experience for the benefit of all users of the Port of Lyttelton.” Captain A. R. Champion Captain Champion, a former Harbourmaster, has served on the board for the last 12 years and is deputy chairman of the board and chairman of the small craft committee. His aims include seeing most of Canterbury meat exported ‘‘through our own port instead, as it is now, put through Port Chalmers.” He has pledged himself to ensure the growth of the port’s roll-on service facilities, including the introduction of overseas roll-on services. He said, regarding the experimental tyre breakwater and small craft marina at Magazine Bay: “1 have every confidence that the breakwater, now being tested, will prove successful and give Canterbury something it has needed for many years — a boat harbour without a waiting list for moorings.” Mr M. J. Dobson A board member for the last three years, Mr M. J. Dobson believes the board needs to adopt a more aggressive stance to compete with other ports and attract trade. “The port has been disadvantaged by the decision of the Ports Authority to allow Port Chalmers a second container crane while restricting Lyttelton

to one. Fortunately, thanks to the very fine efforts of the waterfront workers and the board’s staff, the container terminal is holding its own with the limited capacity," he said, adding that container handling facilities would have to be extended. Mr Dobson also favours the purchase of a new tug, the extension of roll-on services and strict safety regulations regarding L.P.G. Mr M. L.Rooney An importer and past chairman of the Canterbury branch of the Bureau of Importers and Exporters, Mr Rooney said that trade promotion would be his main interest if elected to the board. “The Port of Lyttelton,” he said, “should handle all goods from the natural hinterland of Canterbury rather than having Canterbury’s exports aggregated at distant ports to suit the convenience of overseas shipping lines.” He cited the port’s advantages of having a deep harbour, multi-purpose facilities, a co-operative labour force, and expertise on the part of the board’s officers. He also welcomes the new export coal handling facilities as a sign of the continuing development of the port’s commercial activities. Mr P. J. R. Skellerup Mr Skellerup said he recognises the importance of keeping port facilities abreast of the times with modem cargo handling methods, and also supports the resumption of a regular Lyttelton-Welling-ton ferry, service to handle both , passengers and goods. “To keep the port competitive,” he said, “it is essential that all meat

produced in Canterbury must be shipped through the province’s main port. That is the only way port charges can be made competitive.” He cited unfair competition from New Zealand Railways which “has caused a serious decline in this country’s coastal shipping.” He said “we are far too dependent on a rail link which is not infrequently out of action through slips and troubles on the Picton ferry service.” He also believes that West Coast coal, if exported, should be shipped through Lyttelton as the port is best able to handle deep-draught vessels. Mr T. G. Smith Mr Smith said he believes it is essential to the well-being of Christchurch that Lyttelton is re-estab-lished as the major South Island port.

“Too often,” he said,” the reason given for industries moving out of Christchurch is the lack of reliable bulk transportation of goods out of Christchurch to the North Island and overseas markets. We can no longer rely on a single railway fine up the Kaikoura coast as our main export route.” If elected, he said he would press for a Lyttel-ton-Wellington ferry service and a second container crane for Lyttelton. “There is also, I believe, a need for further development of the Lyttelton harbour as a recreation area because of its proximity to Christchurch,” he said. Mr J. Twomey Secretary of the Waterside Employers’ Union at Lyttelton, Mr Twomey has more than 40 years of shipping experience, including 18 years at sea. Berths should be developed and cargo handling facilities provided for all types of vessels wishing to trade at the port, he believes. There should be space and sheds for the transit of cargo through the port. He also sees a

need for further development of the container terminal which “should be established as the main South Island terminal as it feeds the greatest industrial area in the South Island.” He is an advocate of greater port efficiency to achieve quicker turnaround of ships, and believes a ferry service link with Wellington “is now more urgently required” because of high air fares and petrol prices. He advocates participation with the expanding fishing industry, yacht and aquatic sport facilities, and the continued exporting of coal through the port. Ms J. M.Waters Cargo handling efficiency should be improved in the port, Mrs Waters said, and costs reduced to as low a level as possible. If this is done, she said, “Canterbury producers will have no excuse to shitheir goods through other ports.” She also favours the upgrading of recreational facilities and thinks lobbying should be continued for a passenger and cargo service between Lyttelton and Wellington — perhaps even extending to Port Chalmers as well.

Ms Waters is critical of port administration. “One of the unfortunate things about the Port of Lyttelton,” she said, “is that although it is the lifeline of Canterbury, very few people are interested in who is running it or how efficiently it is being administered, so. it is left to the farmers and shipping interests.” She favours development of a small craft harbour and believes the board should take a stand against the visits of nuclear ships. (No statements were received from the sitting Labour Party members of the board, Mr DaVidson and Sir Robert Macfarlane.) Five candidates, including the two sitting members, Messrs H. W.

Bennett and G. E. Wright, are standing for the two seats representing Paparua, Malvern, Ellesmere, and Heathcote counties. Other candidates are Mr B. R. Ayers and Mr B. C. Griffiths, both Labour candidates and both employees of the Harbour Board, and the director of the Canterbury Manufacturers Association, Mr I. D. Howell. Mr B. R. Ayers Mr Ayers, aged 29, wants to see the port progress surely and steadily with the board’s finances spent on improvements and modem developments such as containerisation, bulk loading, and new cranes. “I believe,” he said, “that my background and technical knowledge coupled with my earnest hopes for Canterbury’s future entitle me to ask for voters’ support in endeavouring to see that revenue is carefully channelled in the areas of expenditure which will benefit manufacturers, farmers, shippers, and consumers alike.”

Mr Ayers said he would "like a look at the possibility of the restoration of the. Lvttelton-Wellington ferry and the commissioning of a new tug of the Godlev class.” He added that he would work to promote the port so more of Canterbury’s products would be shipped through Lyttelton. Mr H. W. Bennett Mr Bennett, who is standing down as a Paparua County councillor this year, be--1 i e v e s the trade and future Of the Port of Lyttelton is soundly based. “But/’ he said, “the present period is one of comnetitiveness, not only between shipping services but also between ports and alternative modes of transport. To attract shin-

ping lines and trade, port authorities must provide the facilities and the services of competitive prices.” He noted that Lyttelton has an efficient container terminal, is building facilities to cater for large quarter-ramp vessels, and is extending its bulk loading facilities used for loading coal, coke, barley, and wood chips, the work of the board and 'its staff and specifically mentioned the construction of a small craft harbour at Magazine Bay. Mr B. C. Griffiths Mr Griffiths believes that there should be big changes in the board’s policies to better serve the Canterbury area in an economic and competitive manner. Aged 37, married with two children, he has lived in Lyttelton for the last 11 years. He said he believes port facilities should be upgraded so as to become more economical for producers than Port Chalmers. “At present, one third of all export cargo handled at Port Chalmers originated from the Christchurch district,” he said.

He favours investigation of the resumption of a Lyttelton-Wellington ferry service and believes the board has a duty to provide recreational facilities of a high standard. Mr Griffiths added: “As an employee of the Harbour Board, I believe that, if workers were more informed of the board’s intentions, industrial relations within the port would be greatly improved.” Mr I. D. Howell "As our exports Continue to diversify, there will be the need for more direct services,” said Mr Howell. “The success of the Pacific Forum Line is an example. Today exports out of Lyttelton by the line exceed the exports

handled by that line out of Auckland and Napier combined.” Mr Howell, who has been criticised by some board members in the past for not supporting a new Lyttelton-Wellington ferry service, said that the port must be prepared to adapt to changing demands for

container handling and other cargoes. He cited the coal handling facilities as “a progressive move.” Recreational needs must be met, he said, and, “in the future, the board’s trade promotion must be kept at a high level to ensure it makes a maximum contribution to our area.” . „ .Mr G. E. Wright Lyttelton is on the way to becoming one of the most efficient ports in New Zealand, Mr Wright said. “To compete successfully in world markets with our exports, we must be able to handle our produce in an efficient and economic manner. This necessitates the completion of the bulk handling facilities at Cashin Quay for all forms of bulk cargo, the continued modernisation of the inner harbour, further development of the container trade, and the continued investigation into the development of a suitable floating breakwater for small craft,” he said.

“I continue to support the reintroduction of a suitable inter-island ferry service,” he said. Continuing port development

would be of great economic benefit to the people of Canterbury, he believes.

Two candidates are vying for the single board seat representing Waimairi County and the Borough of Riccarton, they are the sitting member, Mr W. V. Cowles (Citizens), and Mrs P. L. Knibb (Labour). Mr W. V. Cowles Progress in developing the port over the last three years had been good, said Mr Cowles, despite “the unreasonable decisions of the Waterfront Development Commission and the Ministry of Transport.” He cited, in particular, the alterations to the No. 7 wharf to handle quarterramp vessels, the planned development of a small craft marina, and work being done to handle with speed and economy the loading of export coal. Mr Cowles, also a supporter of the move to reinstate a LytteltonWellington ferry service, thinks continuing port development is essential to encourage more trade through the port. "I am convinced that shipping lines would prefer to load and unload at Lyttelton because of its deep water harbour, speed in handling cargo, and because the majority of the South Island’s imports and exports revolve around Canterbury,” he said. Mrs P. L. Knibb Mrs Knibb, the mother

of three, Labour Party

branch executive, and fulltime social w’orker, said she is standing for the board “because of a deep concern about the apathy over the over-all running of the harbour.” She said she is keen to be a member of a united, positive team whose only obligation is to put into effect a progressive pol,icy. . ■ . She said that the restoration of a passenger service between. Lyttelton • and Wellington and * the upgrading of out-dated port facilities are her main objectives. Mrs Knibb, who regards community involvement as

a personal priority, has lived in the Waimairi district for the last eight years. Four sitting members of the board and one new member have been automatically elected, having no opposition. They are Captain R. Fast, representing the Borough of Lyttelton and the counties of Akaroa, Mount Herbert, and Wairewa; Mr J. E. Mannering, the present board chairman representing the Boroughs of Rangiora and Kaiapoi; Mr A. A. H. Macfarlane, representing the counties of Amuri, Cheviot, and Hurunui; and Mr J. Brand, representing Ashburton borough and county. Mr D. G. Church, also representing Ashburton borough and county, stands unopposed for that district’s second seat, replacing Mr R. G. Gerrard who is retiring.