SHIPPING CHARGES

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 32, 7 August 1923, Page 4

SHIPPING CHARGES

QUESTION OF LIGHT DUES.

A statement in connection with the cable message which appeared yesterday concerning light dues, and which made the suggestion that they should be reduced by the New Zealand Government, has been issued by the Marine Department, which states:—

"For many years, prior to April of this year, the light dues imposed on shipping in New Zealand were at the rate of 4d per ton for foreign-going and intercolonial steamers on arrival at thu first port, and id per ton on arrival at each subsequent, port; the rate for coastal vessels was £d per ton. Until April, no' increase, had been made in the charges, in spite- of tho fact that, since they were originally imposed, the capital cost has been very considerably increased by the installation of new lights constructed at the request of the shipowners and others, and there are likely to be further installations in the near future, some of them of an expensive nature—notably the proposed installation at the Three Kings.

■"To meet this, and also to meet the increased cost of maintenance consequent on the very large increase in the rates of salaries, and cost of oil, stores, etc., the Department increased the charges from Ist April last to 6d per ton for foreign-going and intercolonial ships at the first port- of arrival, and £d per ton at each subsequent port, and for coastal vessels to -Ad per ton. "Prior to this increase, the service was maintained at a substantial loss, taking t into consideration tho interest on first cost, the maintenance and repair charges, and also the cost of maintaining the lighthouse tender."