DAIRY CARGO PORTS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 27 October 1930, Page 9

DAIRY CARGO PORTS

WANGANUI’S PETITION

COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY

RECOMMEND ATIONS M A DE. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. Oct. 25. In the House of Representatives today a lengthy debate took place on the report of the select committee on the petition of A. E. Rankin and 346 others praying for an investigation into overseas shipping contracts respecting he port of Wanganui, Mr. G. O. Munns (Roskill) on behalf of the committee reported that as the Dairy Export Board had, by statuty, the .sole power of making contracts with overseas shipping companies for the carriage of dairy produce overseas-, thecommittee had no recommendation to make.

Mr. J- T. Hogan (Raiigitikei) strongIv protested against the agreement that Iliad been negotiated by tlie board. He said it was unfair that produce should] have to be carried much greater distances to the port of Wellington when it could more economically be shipped at Wanganui. He disagreed with fhe policy of centralisation that was being developed. "Hon. W. A. Veitcli (Wanganui) expressed! the opinion that Parliament bad gone too far in the delegating of its powers to -bodies such as the- Dairy Export Board and he moved that the report should be referred to the Government for consideration and inquiry. This amendment wais. seconded by Mr. Ai. B. Ju'll (Warpawn) who was applauded on rising to speak. He said be wished to support what the Minister had said. It was quite- -passible that other ports would find themselves on the same footing as Wanganui at some future date. Mr. D. Jones (Mid-Canterbury) stated lie did not think the Dairy Board was at all at fault. The shipping coiWE'anies 'had contended it would bo wi unsatisfactory proposition fpr them to load more than a certain quantity of produce at Wanganui and the board bad had no course other than to accent the companies’ terms. Mr. Veitoh’s amendment was adopted oii the voices.