NAPIER HARBOUR QUESTION.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 64, 2 March 1929, Page 7

NAPIER HARBOUR QUESTION.

AN APPEAL FROM MR. HIGGINS. Sir,—We are dealing with a subject which is of vital importance to the wnole district, viz., harbour facilities for Hawke’s Bay, and, alter all, why worry about a mere handful of Napier retailers, or whether I am a farmer, 01 whether my interests are not greater in Hastings than in Napier? What are nil these irrelevant matters in comparison with this district’s fight in the stern and never-ending economic battle,of every-day business? This wonderful district is to-day penalised by our obsolete and costly port conditions. The three freezing companies have stated this to be so, and 1 refer you to tlieir joint letter to the Napier Harbour Board. They say, that they are at a serious dis, advantage in operating against competitors from outside districts, because of the expensive and damaging lighterage, and that they have to face consequent losses on realisation, or claims from buyers for damage incurred through lightering and double handling. You do not accept my statement as to the estimate of loss being Jd per lb. I believe I have been reliably informed and will furnish you with my informant’s name should you desire it. I put it to you, sir, that we must believe and accept what the freezing companies say and further, it would seem our duty to get together and help them, also the wool-growers, as we'l as the fruit-growers, who aro being so heavily penalised at present by having to send all their fruit to Wellington by train for shipment. I am confident that you have the welfare of the district ,<t heart, and that you will support the Harbour Board in its present effort to meet, the freezing companies by enquiring of, the overseas shipowners what are their minimum requirements at the Breakwater to make it suitable fortheir working. You write, “the Government inspector has expressed himself as entirely satisfied with the present method of handling the meat," but you might have added the following from the same report, “1 cannot make any suggestion for improvement. in that respect under present conditiops." I fancy that this fuller Quotation makes all the difference. Mr. Editv. let me plead with you. because of what improved port facilities mean to the whole district, to let the shadows alone. T/ct us face the facts, and if you have any suggestion to make that will help to our overcoming our difficulties. then let us have it. for the time has arrived when something must bo done..—Y'ours etc.. T. F. HIGGINS. Napier, 28/2/29.