PORT CHARGES

Evening Star, Issue 19952, 23 August 1928, Page 5

PORT CHARGES

BOARD & GOVERNffIEKT AT ISSUE SHOULD TRADING VESSELS BE EXEMPT 7 [Pei: United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, August 23. A dispute is going on between the harbour boards and the Government as to the latter’s refusal to pay’ port charges and dues on the Maui. Pomare. The Minister claims that it> is exempt like other Government vessels. The Wellington hoard contends that it the Government finds it necessary to assist tho Cook Islands, the losses incurred should be a charge on tho Consolidated Fund, and should not 1 all on the harbour boards. Other Government vessels are not engaged in trade, and do not require facilities for handling cargo. Other trading concerns of tho Government paid tho ordinary charges, and no exception should be made in this case.

The Minister, in reply, said the Government had stepped in where private enterprise had failed, and the venture was likely to bo run at. a financial loss for some time to conic, lie was, however, prepared to pay harbour dues as far as the service with Nino and Samoa was concerned, provided the board refunded any payments by way of port charges, berthage, and harbourmasters’ foes.. In the discussion on this reply members stood linn, and characterised tho claim as extraordinary, unjnstiiied, unfair, and introducing the thin end of die wedge. Resolutions were passed refusing to agree with the principles set out in the Minister’s letter, and drawing up a remit for tho next Harbour Hoards’' Conference) to the effect that Government vessels carrying freight-earning cargoes should pay the same harbour dues as ordinary trading vessels.