SHIPPING FREIGHTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 15, 12 October 1928, Page 9

SHIPPING FREIGHTS

NAPIER FAVOURS FLAT RATE CENTRALISATION OPPOSED By Telegraph.—Press Association. Napier, October 11. The danger to minor ports of the movement for the centralisation of shipping at the four chief centres was discussed at a meeting at Napier yesterday of the Harbour Board, the Chamber of Commerce, the shipping, freezing, dairying, fruit growing and wool growing interests. In opening the proceedings, Mr. A. E. Jull pointed out that the meeting had been called in order that the producers of the province should get together with the object of forming a policy for handling produce through the port of Napier. It was common knowledge that the authorities at Wellington and the other main ports had advocated the abolition of the flat rate, and had otherwise voiced schemes for centralisation of shipping. If their efforts were successful the result would centralisation of shipping to the main ports. Napier, of course, could really be termed one of the main ports of New Zealand as far as the export of wool and produce was concerned. However, it was thought that a general meeting of all concerns would be decidedly beneficial to the community and to the province. 'J was patent to all that centralisario* to larger ports was a force which had to be fought. Centralisation had taken place in other countries to the detriment of producers and the public in general. Mr. Jull then moved: “That this meeting affirms that' the present system of. flat rate of freight for exports from the Dominion has proved to be advantageous to the Dominion, and we sincerely trust that the abolition will not be brongth about. The motion was carried unanimously, after which the meeting went into committee. Following the discussion a committee of nil interests was set up to watch events and act if considered necessary. .