HARBOUR POLICY

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 96, 27 April 1929, Page 10

HARBOUR POLICY

CIVIC LEAGUE VIEWS

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE

WORKS IN VIEW

The following statement of pojj^y. is issued in connection with the Harbour Board by the four Civic League candidates (Captain Maclndoo and Messrs. G. Mitchell, C. J. B. Norwood, and H. D. Bennett):—

It is acknowledged by every competent authority with knowledge oi' tho port- that by a wise policy, efficient management, excellent staff, modern facilities, and nquipment the Port oi! Wellington stands to-day unrivalled in its efficiency and sound financial position. The total assets of the board (well written down) amount to £2,623,----000, and the liabilities to £ 1,279,000. The trade of the port last year was: Exports .£15,345,000, imports £14,957,----000; total £30,302,000 (nearly onethird of tho total trade of the. Dominion). Besides providing every modern facility for the rapid and efficient handling of ships and cargo, the board has been able to make material reductions in port charges both on ships and goods. These charges are the lowest in New Zealand for the services ren-' dercd. 1 The reductions are as follow:— Annual reduction in charges on ships £16,000, annual reduction in charges on goods, £15,000. . .'. ; . WORKERS' CONDITIONS. Concurrent with these reductions tho board has increased its pay roll to tho permanent and semi-permanent employees by £9700 per annum. There is little doubt that tho pay and conditions of employment on the Harbour Board staff are unexcelled by any other public body in New Zealand. Tho general conditions are. as follows:—The permanent staff (general hands) start at £4 19s per week'minimum and may rise to £6 10s maximum for a 44-hour week. Holidays are paid. fqr by . tho board. The men rcceivo from tho board: (1) Half cost of uniforms; (2) one week's holiday per year on full pay after one year's service and two weeks after five years; (3) full pay in . case of sickness or accident up to three months after one year's service; (4), half life insurance premium; (5) 65 per. cent.- of employer's contribution towards superannuation is paid by the board. The board has also increased its payment to widows to £31 per annum and to 10s for each child under 14. ' ■ ■ ■' ■•'.-■ RESERVE FUNDS. The same economy in management has. allowed the board to put aside substantial sums in |(he various funds and reserves to make proper' provision lor future expansion. These funds'to-day stand at: Sinking funds, £443,000; special reserve, £97,000; dock fund, £84,000;: .fire insurance contingencies, £22,000; dredge fund.£4S,ooo; widow' ! and children pension fund, £ 11,000. It • will be see therefore 1 that tho board's 'policy has resulted in'(l) reduction in | charges- levied .on customers; (2) an increase in the pay, of .employees; (3) a proper provision for sinking funds and reserves. Modern equipment; efficient organisation and.management and the loyalty of the staff have resulted in the gradual reduction in'cost of the goods handled! In 1921 767,800 tons wore handled at a cost of 4s Gd.to'u. In, 1928 950,100 tons were handled at a cost of 2s lid,a ton.- The saving last year in'comparison with 1921 was Is 7d a ton or a total of . £75,216. It was this saving in cost that has enabled the board to make the provisions above referred to. .. . ' ' ' '■ FLOATING DOCKS. The dock site will not be available until the Thorndon reclamation and the Tawa Flat deviation are carried out. When these' works are completed the board will proceed with the pi-ovision of .a floating dock, and by the provisions made will be able to pay a cheque for the whole cost without borrowing a penny. By this policy no increase in revenue, will be necessary to meet 'this huge expenditure. In, otlir words,, the board is saving up to pay for the dock before it buys it. :.-..' LEADING WORKS. Works in hand are:—Thorndon reclamation and breastwork (approximately) £40,000; breastwork, Tliorndon, £35,000; reconstructing Glasgow Wharf, £10,000; cranes for Glasgow Wharf, £14,000; now plant and machinery, £5000; oil berth, Point Howart, £10,000. Works contemplated are: AVbarf, Point Howard, provision for floating dock, new lights for Penearrow Heads, completion of Thorndon reclamation and breastwork. It is the intention of the board to construct a wharf at Point Howard as soon as such is justified by the industrial development, in the Hutt Valley. We intend to (1) pursue tho same sound progressive policy now carried out by the board; (2) maintain the present harbour control and management; (3) complete early tho Thorndon reclamation, the Tawa-Flat deviation, and new railway station.and yard, to-better provide for rail-borne imports and exports;- (4) procure a floating dock as soon as the. site is in readiness; (5) take all possible steps to assure that the users of the-port receive the full, benefit: of the low charges levied and the accommodation and facilities provided for the economical bandling of ships and cargo, and to fight any unjust burden placedl on the shippers at our port; (6) insure tho closest co-opera-tion between the City Council and Harbour; Board where their joint interests are concerned.