FUTURE OF THE PORT

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 122, 25 May 1915, Page 8

FUTURE OF THE PORT

THE CALL FOR MORE WHARFAGE MONEY NOW AVAILABLE. In the course of interviews with local representatives of overseas companies the Evening Post has elicited that one of the most urgent works that will claim consideration of the newly-elected Harbour Board is further deep-sea wharf accommodation. The old board apparently fully recognised this, for it had gone to the length of calling for tenders for ♦he construction of the Pipitea Wharf, and then came the war. This caused fchu work to be held in abeyance. In the then disordered state of the money market the board could hardly be expected to proceed just then with so costly an undertaking. That was some ten months ieo, and the English motto for the tinn\ "Business as usual," has been rigidly adhered to at Home and in the selfgoverning dominions ever since recovery from the first shock of the war. The question for the new board to answer is, when is the work of increasing the berth age accommodation about to be resumed? So far back as 1911, the Engineer, reported that "the first addition should be the Pipitea Wharf, which will lie to the east of the King's Wharf" ; next year, plans having been already prepared for the work, the Engineer reports: "In view of the continued increase in shipping arriving at Wellington, and of the increased size of the vessels, I think , the board would be justified in going on with the work" ; further, he adds, "It will probably be found necessary in the'- near future to take into consideration the construction of ahother wharf to the eastward of the Toranaki-street Wharf-, where moderate-sized vessels could be accommodated." In his report for 1913, the Engineer again refers to the Pipitea Wharf, the construction of which,' -he says, the board has in contemplation "at an early date." The war broke out in the first week in August, and the call for tenders is promptly •withdrawn. Nevertheless, the Engineer reports a month later: "Tt is to be regretted that owing to the war it has been found necessary to withdraw the Pipitea Wharf contract for public tender for the present. It is, however, necessary that this work should be put in hand as soon as ever the board is in a position to undertake it. since the trade of the port will be largely increased inthe near future-, and a considerable time will elapse after a contract is let before the wharf is available for use. The construction of this wharf will provide ample accommodation fov th© largest class ot vessels visiting the port." Finally, in March last, 'the board resolved:'"That having regard to the rapid and continuous growth of the trade of this port, it is most essential that a contract for the erection of the whatf to be known as the Pipitea Wharf should be let at the earliest possible moment, that is, as soon as satisfactory financial arrangements can be made." It is understood that "financial arrangements can be made" now, and that they are of such a naturs that they may be described as "satisfactory." Then (it may be asked), why should the woi'k wait longer? The reasons for an early beginning M* many, but among them these may be pointed out : — (1) The berthage accommodation is not sufficient all the i year round (Harbourmaster's reports)/ (2) The trade of the port is expanding all the time (vide statistics for from 1882 to 1914, pp. 41, 42, Harbour Board Year Book). (3) War or no war, the shipping trade of the world is being revolutionised by the influence of the opening of the Panama Canal, and by the greater development of trade on the Pacific Coast from Alaska to Chili. In February last the Union Steam Ship Company urged the board to provide for the expansion of the cargo trade between the Pacific coast of the United States and New Zealand, and expressed itself "concerned as to the facilities which will be afforded them (cargo steamers) at this port in connection with the discharge of their cargoes. . . The trade will be greatly hampered, and may even be jeopardised, owing to the difficulty of promptly disposing of their cargoes." (4) There is nothing in sight at the moment to prove that the markets of Europe will not be able to absorb for years to come alt the primary products that New Zealand will be able to export. (5) The work of building the Pipitea Wharf only, if started to-morrow, will take, on the Engincer's_ estimate, three years to complete. It is probable that it will take at least four years before it is equipped ready for use. (6) There is no guarantee, high as the cost of materials (cement and steel) are to-day, that in twelve months' time, even if peace be proclaimed before then, they will be cheaper; or that freight* will be lower than they are to-day. (7) What applies to the hon and steel and machinery markets applies also to the money market. It is by no means certain that rates for money will be upon the same level a year hence as they are to-day. The chances are that they will rule 'higher in consequence of the' stupendous sums required to repair the ravages of war. (8) It is estimated that fifteen large passenger-cargo vessels are being built for this trade, vessels of larger tonnage, and but for the war most of _ these ships would have been in commission to-day. (9) With the freezing facilities for pastoralists at Feilding, Taihape. and other stock centres being established, and existing undertakings enlarged, more load' ing berths connected up by rail are urgently needed already. The question, it seems, for tho board to answer for itself is, not whether its policy of increased wharf accommodation bhould be proceeded with, but when the s>ctual building of new wharves shall begin, now that the money for the work can be obtained.