HARBOUR DUES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 24 August 1928, Page 8

HARBOUR DUES.

BOARDS’ DISPUTE WITH GOVERNMENT.

CHARGES ON THE MAUI POM ARE.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 23

A dispute is going* on between tlhe harbour .boards and the,Government as to 'the Tatter’s refusal t'o pay port charges and .dues on, the Maui Pornare. The Minister claims that it is exempt, like other .Government vessels.

The Wellington, Board contends that if the Government finds it necessary to assist tih.e Cook Islands . the losses, incurred should Ibe a charge on the consolidated fund arid not fall on the bar 1 hour h’o'ard. Dither Government vessels are not engaged in trade .and do not require facilities for handling* c'argo. The other trading concerns of the Government paid the ordinary charges and no exception should be made in this case. The Minister in reply said that the Government had stepped in where private enterprise had failed and their venture was likely to be run at a .financial loss for some time to come. Ho was, however, prepared to pay harbour dries as far as the service with Niue and Samoa was concerned provided the hoard refunded any payments by way of port charges, berthage and harbourmaster’s fees. In a • discussion on this reply, members stood firm and characterised, the Jaim as extra or dinary unjustified and ..nfair, and introducing tlhe thin end of the wedge. Motions were carried refusing -tjo agree with the principles set out in the Minister’s letter and authorising the drawing up of a remit for the next Harbour Board’s Conference to the effect 'that the Government vc'ssels carrying fregiht-e'aming cargoes should, pay the same harbour dues as ordinary trading vessels.