FUTURE POLICY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 10 April 1930, Page 6

FUTURE POLICY

NELSON HARBOUR BOARD STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN THE FRUITGROWING INDUSTRY Some important matters relating to the future policy of the Nelson Harbour Board were discussed at yesterday afternoon’s meeting. The matter was introduced by the chairman (Mr 11. It. Duncan), who said that it would be remembered that at the last monthly meeting he had stateil that it would probably bo necessary to have a special meeting to consider tho Board’s l'uluro policy, especially in regard to port improvements. The meeting had not been called because of the difficulty of getting all members together, and as there did not appear to bo much business for the present meeting lie thought tec policy could bo discussed that day. The widening of the cut and of tho wharf were two of the most important matters for consideration. As to cool storage tho Board had been subject to some little criticism. It was right that the Board should get criticism, but at tho same time he thought the critics did not realise that all the matters required very careful consideration. Folr 'instance, Uhero was the cool store; lie was lot quite clear whether the fruitgrowers themselves were unanimous as to whether they wanted them or not. That day lie had turned up a report he had seen published in the “Orchardist” o' Ist July, 1929, relating to the Nelson I'rovincinl Conference of Fruitgrowers under “Nelson Loading” it was stated: “In view of the fact that the district can assemble 50,000 to 60,000 cases a week tlie cool store was considered unnecessary.”

A resolution embodying this was carried unanimously by the conference, and yet tho Board was now eritict ;.l for ~nt providing cool stores. Mr Duncan went on to say that unquestionably the first consideration of a harbour board was to do its utmost by providing safe harbour and adequate economical facilities that would attract overseas vessels. Most harbour boards endeavoured to visualise such a policy as far as their finances would admit. In some cases harbour boards were stampeded into a policy of speculative improvements that proved disastrous to its financial resources. The Board had from time to time after full consideration carried out a policy that had been of benefit to tho district, and he was sure ho spoke for every member of the Board when he said they would always endeavour to pursue a policy that would be a wise investment of its funds and not a purely speculative one. The Board had been lately subjected to a certain amount of criticism for not embarking on certain harbour and port improvements. Of that criticism he was not complaining, for he was sure it was well meant, and was only made in order to spur file apparently lagging horse on. But lie wished to say that the Board was not now nor had been unmindful of the needs of the port; but when a small board was asked to embark upon an expenditure of probably £IOO,OOO it must, if it was to carry out a wise policy, explore such policy from cveiy angle so as to not ask the ratepayers to carry a burden that was not justified by results.

ADDITIONAL STORE NEEDED

From what he had seen, he thought an additional store to store fruit was needed. It was absolutely necessary that fruit should be got away without the least possible delay. But the store should riot be a cool store, but might be fitted with vents and fans to keep it as cool as possible. lie thought that was necessary. The Board would erect such a store, but he did not think this should be done without first asking for a conference of the fruitgrowers who would speak with authority, and tell the Board what they wanted. The cost of such a store would probably be £3OOO or £4OOO. Some of the growers said it was better to bring fruit direct to the wharves, and unquestionably in his opinion a store at tiie port was the proper thing. As to favouring the proposal, he thought it could be managed all right. The Board had a debt of £1026 last year, but that was occasioned by considerable capital expenditure of something like £4OOO on dredging and reclamation. The, shed lie considered should be built out of revenue. That was the only Thing the Board could do in the way qf improving tho port out of revenue. Mr Kelly: Can it bo done out of re-

venue without touching our reservo fund ?

The chairman: I think it can; hut if a refrigerating store is wanted we might have to dip into our reserve fund. Mr Kelly said he looked upon the reserve fund as a provision for special work which might have to he done owing to unforeseen circumstances. The chairman: I don’t want to touch the reserve at all. We should have it iu case of some sudden catastrophe to the wharf or mole.

Continuing, the chairman said where the store would be put was a matter for consideration; but lie thought it should be placed behind the present office buildings, where there was ample space. If the money was available he would prefer to put it on the reclaimed land and take it right through B shed, hut this would add considerably to the expense, as a jetty would ’ have to bo erected and a line put in. In a statement to the press a few days ago- lie had expressed the opinion that the Board was not justified in going to much expense until it had got an assurance that the overseas boat would regularly visit the port.

LOAN NECESSARY That brought up the question of widening the cut, another mole possibly, and the widening of the wluwf. If overseas boats came to Nelson these works would have to he undertaken, hut a loan would be necessary. Whether the Loans Board would sanction a loan at this particular time and the ratepayers also, he was not sure. If the cut 'was widened in his opinion a northern mole would not he required. Mr Reynolds had advocated the erection of a northern mole, but had later stated in a letter to him (the chairman) that it possibly would not be required if the cut was widened. The Board’s policy, lie should sav, would be to widen the cut, and if it was then found necessary to erect a mole it could, be done. He certainly would not be in favour of it except as a last resort. Then providing overseas boats would regularly visit the port, the question of widening the wharf 25ft seaward would have to be considered. Mr Kelly said lie understood the harbourmaster was not in favour of widening the wharf seawards. Mr Glasgow: No, lie is against it. The speaker added that lie was watching the Zcalandic berth the other day and there was very little room for the vessel to swing in. Tim chairman said there was 850 ft. to swing in at present. He had not discussed the matter with the liarbourmas-

lor!' Tho wharf, anyhow, would have to be strengthened. There was not sufficient space at present oil tho wharf to handle cargo. The chairman also said that a matter for future consideration should be reclamation between tlio power house and the present reclamation. He reiterated that tho erection of a cool store would mean a loan. If fruit growers were going to save £20,000 a year by direct shipment they should be prepared to pay a levy. Mr Glasgow: They are willing to do so.

The chairman: I know. But no authoritative body has said so. Continuing the chairman said lie had heard, that even the Control Board was adverse to Nelson loading. Was tho Board justified, unless it got an authoritative statement from the fruitgrowers, to go in for a largo expenditure in order to ensure direct Joadingi? It was not a hit of use one association saying it wanted'this or that, and another association saying it did not want it at all, but wanted the fruit concentrated at Weilington. Mr Kelly said ho look it that if the big shipping companies controlling shipping in Wellington took It into their heads that they wanted the fruit concentrated at the main ports it would be done in spile of anything the Board might do. Tho chairman said he did not think the Board could be charged with being unmindful of the needs of the port in the past. _ He did not mind criticism; but be reiterated that before the Board moved it wanted an authoritative statement from tho fruitgrowers as to wliat they wanted and wliat they would support. He moved that a request be made for a conference vith representatives of the whole fruitgrowing interests in the district. Air Kelly seconded the motion.

Mr Glasgow in supporting the motion said tho conference should be held as soon as possible. If the Control Board was going to insist, on precooling that meant that the Board would get less business or would have to put up a refrigerating store. He quite agreed that nothing should be done until the Board was assured that if the Board put up the store it would he used.

Ah- Price was of opinion that before a conference was held file Board should meet and thoroughly go into the matter. There were many matters for consideration.

AI.VITERS FOR CONSIDERATION

Ah Gould said that with most of what the chairman had said he agreed but as Afr Price had remarked there were many matters the Board should consider, and he thought this should be done prior to calling a conference. One must not overlook the fact that tho whole question of cool storage had arisen from anqpymous letters and from the Chamber of Commerce. The Board had nothing definite from those responsible asking consideration of tlio question. About two years ago the Board had a very definite statement from those responsible that precooling was not necessary. He considered that the Board should lose no opportunity of getting business if it knew it was. available by going after it. The industry had arrived at a stage, lie thought, when the Board would have to do something; but lie thought the position had also arisen for the industry to come to the Board with some reasonable suggestion of financial assistance. The Board should consider tho matter, know where it stood, and what the liability would be. 'The chairman: We want to know wliat the growers want. Mr Glasgow asked ihow many times had they come to the Board and did not know what they wanted. The motion was then put and carried unanimously.

Before the above discussion a letter was read from the Nelson Provincial Chamber of Commerce forwarding a resolution passed at the annual meeting to the effect that the Board, if found feasible, should widen the wharf on the eastern side of B shed in order to relieve the congestion, of handling cargo; and that cool storage facilities should be provided in order to ensure direct loading at the port. As to handling cargo; Mr Gould said lie thought the Board hold quite a record for the despatch of cargo. The chairman: The port has been complimented by every shipping superintendent for quick dispatch of cargo. AL Gould: It compares favourably with any port in New Zealand. 'Tiie chairman: Yes.