THE CEMENT COMPANY'S VIEWS

Northern Advocate, 7 August 1919, Page 3

THE CEMENT COMPANY'S VIEWS

■Mr Elliott, representing , Wilson's (X.Z. Portland Cement >Co., Ltd., said he was glad to see that the board liad decided to proceed on conservative lines. He had. listened <with a great deal of pleasure to the explanation of the gentleman who hiad dealt with the maps. It was all very mice. A very pretty picture had been painted from the maps, but he feared all those ideas would fall to the ground if they did not get the railway connections expected. He had heard that story of what might be done in many parts of New Zealand. Touching upon the figures quoted by Mr Eraser in reference to Westport he pointed out that the whole of the coal exported went over the board's wharves, but nevertheless Westport was financially burst. He hated to be against progress as he recognised, that it was necessary for the country and a prosperous harbour was a very fine thing, but he held that the ratepayers should be consulted. How did they propose to get their revemue. Apparently from a tax on coal and cement. From the figures quoted it would appear that coal and cement would pay the whole of the interest charges on the full scheme. It was very easy for the people who did not have to pay to vote for the scheme. He was, of course, prejudiced because his company would be hit hard.

The Chairman "Have you not already passed it on?"

:Mr Elliott replied that they had passed on 9s per ton, but the increased cost of coal, bags and oil made up 11s per ton and of this 9s only had

been passed on to the public. The company was going to stand, or try and stand, the loss of the 2s. Heaven knows he did not want to run' down the scheme. Referring , further to Mr Fraser'e report he declared it was nonsense to say that the board would be in a position to dictate freights. There had been a rise in freights throughout the world. The board also believed that they would encourage manufacturers to start business, here, but would they? He did not think so. He contended the supply of coal here was not cheap, but on the other hand dear. There was not much inducement to manufacturers on the part 'of coal. He took it that the Cement Co. would have to pay something like £3000 per annum under the improvement rate. In this connection he pointed otit that the company had two works—Portlaoid and Warkworth. The manufacturing cost vVould be Is less at Warkworth without the harbour rate. The company was running power and light for Whangarei and it was natural that they should endeavour to develop the works at Whangarei as they had to employ a- certain number of men. But they were pausing—he did not speak idly—to consider the effects of the harbour proposals. The charge would be passed on. of course, but the matter should be further considered as a rate of a shilling per ton on coal and cement anight hamper industry. They were really considering- the possibilities of staying their hand at Portland. He was not making anything in the nature of a threat, but the cost of (manufacture Uvjas just as cheap at Portland..

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Mr D, A. McLean rose to a point of order. The meeting- wa<s not (Killed to discuss the tariff and the chairman supported his objection. Continuing -Mr Elliott referred to the. proposed encouragement of industries amd mentioned the freezing works scheme. He held that, a wharf built, for a freezing works would be a bad thing for the district. It would cost more to pay interest upon the capital outlay on the wharf than it would to barge the meat to the ship. Whangarei should develop its port conservatively and he pointed out that many other ports were in. financial difficulties. Earnestly he urged the board to develop on conservative lines. They had got <a little river they could start on and it was better to wait until the railways were made. He disapproved of attempting development ahead of the times.