DECENTRALISATION URGED BY GISBORNE HARBOUR BOARD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22666, 17 June 1948, Page 4

DECENTRALISATION URGED BY GISBORNE HARBOUR BOARD

loading at secondary ports

“F you can show that a resumption of shipping from secondary

ports can be more economical, and will move ships more rapidly, you have a good sound case for decentralisation. I believe the time has arrived for an investigation of the question as to whether the direction of ships to the smaller ports would not be in the interests of the whole country, ’ ’ stated the Prime Minister, Mr. P. Fraser, to a Gisborne Harbour Board deputation yesterday.

The Chief Grounds The main grounds upon which the deputation based its request tor decentralisation of shipping were stated by Mr. C. H. Williams as under:— Relief of congestion of shipping at main ports. Relief of pressure upon the railways system cf the country. Relief of housing demands in the main port areas Spreading of industries throughout the provinces. Reduction of over-all transport costs on export produce. Reduction oi damage to produce through extra handling More even distribution of population throughout the Dominion. Economic Factors Previous applications tor a restoration of shipping at the port of Gisborne had been met by the shipping companies with the argument that it would mean an economic loss to the country, said Mr. Williams The Gisborne Harbour Board "■eld that economic factors would be in favoui oi decentralisation. @ In 1939 the port had had 28 calls hoiii overseas vessels, and loss oi time due to weather was very rare. © Climatic conditions at Gisborne were most equable m summer, and time losses were small in consequence. © Labour shortages were unknown in Gisborne, wnereas tne delays occuiring at main ports needed no emphasising. In 1938 die average time taken to turn a ship round on the New Zealand coast was four weeks. The time had doubled T since then, and if that was a result of centralisation then it must be regarded as disastrous. In replv to Mr. Fraser, the speaker stated that the contention of the Gisborne Harbour Board was that ships could reduce their time in New Zealand waters by calling: at secondary ports. Step Towards Wool Sales The farmers of the district were vitally interested in the return of overseas shipping to Gisborne, added Mr. 'Williams, as it would mean a step forward in regard to wool sales here. Mr. Fraser: If you can tell me anything we can do more than we did to get the wool sales established here I

will be pleased to do it. The buyers were not only adamant but even vehement in ffieir decision not tc come to Gisborne. I think Gisborne ought to have its own wool sales and. personally I should like to see the buyers come here. It would be fail of them to come; it is unfair of them not to come. Effect on Finances

Mr. A. J Nicoi referred to the serious effect upon the board’s finances of the present system of handling exports. The board had a big interest nill —£56,000 per annum —to meet as a result of its efforts to provide facilities toi overseas ships; and centralisation at the main ports had cut off the bulk of its revenue overnight The time haq come to make an effort to restore the port tc its formei stand ing, and relieve the board's ratepayers oi an intolerable burden of rates Prior to the war, said Mr. F. Tolerton. Gisborne was rated as one of three ports in New Zealand where loading costs were lowest.

Tne port still nad the same facilities, but instead oi using these the shipping companies railed produce to Napier at considerable cost. This meant, incidentally, a big tie-up of railway wagons, and with the present instability ot the rail connection delays occurred and space allotments had to be cancelled. Quality of Meat

The policy of the New Zealand Meat Board was to raise the quality of meat exported from the Dominion, added Mr. Tolerton. The Gisborne farmers and freezing-works companies did their best to improve the set-up of the product, but the necessity of railing meat undid much of their work. Meat sometimes had to go into freezing-works in Hawke's Bay for reconditioning after transport by rail to Napier. Mr. Fraser: An interruption in rail traffic in the height of the season could have very serious results. Mr. Tolerton added that waterside workers in Gisborne had their homes here, and because of lack of work were obliged to depend on the minimum wage.

The Prime Minister remarked that a good case for investigation seemed to have been made opt by the deputation, and he would take the matter up on his return to Wellington.