BIG BID BY MANY ORGANISATIONS TO HAVE ROADSTEAD LOADING RESTORED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22914, 5 April 1949, Page 4

BIG BID BY MANY ORGANISATIONS TO HAVE ROADSTEAD LOADING RESTORED

The biggest bid yet to be made by Gisborne for the return of roadstead loading of overseas ships will be carried out this week when a representative deputation will proceed to Wellington to seek the further support of the Prime Minister, Mr. P. Fraser, and to interview representatives of the Overseas Shipowners’ Allotment Committee.

, At a meeting convened by the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce yesterday, at which representatives of practically every organisation of any note in the district were present, it was decided to again present Gisborne’s ease to Air. Fraser.

It is hoped that he will further represent the necessity of restoring roadstead loading at Gisborne to the head offices of the shipping companies during his visit to London later this month.

The deputation will consist of the Mayor, Mr. N. 11. Bull, representing the Gisborne Borough Council, and a representative from the Gisborne Harbour Board, the Trades and Labour Council. Federated Farmers, the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce, Mr. I. J. Quigley, representing the shipping interests, and Mr. F. Toierton the meat interests.

Mr. D. W. Coleman, M-P., who was present at the meeting and stated that lie was whole-heartedly behind the aim of the district, promised to give his full support in arranging a meeting with the Prime Minister-

Preliminary Approach Made

Mr. R. G. Clare, who presided, said that a telegram from the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce had been despatched to the Prime Minister on Friday. This had stated that a large and representative meeting was to be held on Monday, the outcome of which would undoubtedly be to ask for an interview with Mr. Fraser and the Overseas Shipowners Allotment Committee at the earliest possible date. “The people of the Gisborne district are most anxious to have this important matter finalised and are convinced that they have overwhelming evidence to submit to enesure, with your own personal promised assistance, a favourable reply from the shipping companies,” stated this telegram. “If you could please immediately advise us of a date suitable to yourself and at the same time notify the Overseas Shipowners Allotment Committee that you desire them to meet us in your presence, our deputation will be there at the day and the hour indicated. May we ask you please to treat this matter as very urgent. Premier Away From Wellington

A reply to this was received yesterday from Mr. Eraser’s secretary, stating that the Prime Minister was to return to Wellington last night and the matter would be placed before him immediately. Following yesterday afternoon’s meeting, a further telegram over the signatures of the Mayor and Mr. R. G. Clare, president of the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce, was dispatched to the Prime Minister.

This stated that the following motion had been unanimously passed by a meeting representative of 15 organisations:—

“That this meeting express its sincere appreciation of the offered assistance of the Prime Minister as recently conveyed to the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce to assist in an effort to have the roadstead loading of the district’s produce restored to Gisborne and to that end earnestly and urgently asks him, notwithstanding the many calls on his time pending his departure for England on April 14, to receive the deputation and arrange the conference with the Overseas Shipowners Allotment Committee referred to in the chamber’s telegram of April 1. We most sincerely trust that you will be able to concur in this request.”