CENTRALISED SHIPPING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 11 October 1928, Page 5

CENTRALISED SHIPPING.

DANGER TO MINOR PORTS. ' A NAPIER MOVE ■ AO A INST IT. fßv T^lejfrarb—Pre<ya As**v>iatir»n. > NAPIER, Oct. .10. The danger to the minor ports of the movement for the centralisation of shipping at the four ichief centres was discussed at a meeting in Napier to-day of the harbour board, Chamber of 'Commerce, and shipping, freezing, dairying, fruit-growing and wool-growing interests.

In opening proceedings Mr A. E. Juli pointed out that the meeting had been called in order that the producers of tho province should get together with the idea of forming a policy for handling their produce through the port of Napier. It was comomn knowledge that the authorities at Wellington and other main ports had 'advocated the abolition of the flat rate and had otherwise voiced schemes for the centralisation of shipping. If their efforts were successful, the result would be the centralisation of shipping at main ports. Napier, of course, could really be termed one of the main ports of New Zcaluand as far as the export of woo] and produce was concerned. However, it was thought a general meeting of all concerns would be decidedly beneficial to the community and to the province. It was patent to all that centralisation to the larger ports was a force which had to be fought. Centralisation had taken place in other countries to the detriment of producers and public in general-.

Air .Tull then moved “that this mooting affirms that the present system of a flat rate of freight, for exports from the Dominion has proved to be advantageous to tlie Dominion, and we sincerely trust th’at its abolition will not be brought about.”

The motion was carried unanimously, after which the meeting went into committee. Following the discussion a committee of all interests was set up to watch events and act if it considered necessary.