INCREASE OF TEN PER CENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 13 January 1938, Page 9

INCREASE OF TEN PER CENT.

WHARF DUES AT PORT NELSON TO MEET HIGHER COSTS BOARD'S HOURS OF BUSINESS The Nelson Harbour Board at its monthly meeting decided to increase wharfage and other charges in connection with the handling of cargo, by ten per cent. That action was found necessary as the result of increased expenditure caused by higher wages. A motion passed at the November meeting which had the effect of similarly increasing harbour dues, also a resolution regarding the business hours of the board, were rescinded. HARBOUR DUES NOT INCLUDED The chairman (Mr A. Gould) pointeci out that the board had not intended the increase to apply to harbour dues, as indicated in the resolution passed in November, and he moved, in accordance j with notice given previously:—“That the resolution passed on 10th November 1937: ‘That all wharf and harbour dues I and charges be increased by ten per cent, to the nearest halfpenny and that the necessary steps be taken immediately to amend the by-laws accordingly, be. and is hereby rescinded." Mr H. W. Kelly agreed that it had not been the wish of the board to have port charges increased. In answer to Mr C. T. Price, the secretary (Mr H. Milner) stated that his estimate of the increases submitted at the November meeting included the increase in harbour fees. If harbour fees were excluded it would mean that the increased revenue estimates he had given would be reduced by about £6OO. It was thought that the 10 per cent, increase on wharfages and harbour dues would amount to £2400. but on wharfages alone the increase would be about £2.000. Increased wages as the result of recent awards amounted to £2OOO. but in addition the higher expenditure on materials would have to be met. Possibly the increased trade at the wharf would return enough to meet the increased cost of materials. Mr C. T. Price suggested that the ; wharfages be increased 12J per cent, i if it was necessary. However, he would l not object to giving the 10 per cent, a trial for a year. The chairman remarked that there would be objections by local business people if wharfages were raised 124 per cent. The motion was then carried WHARVES OPEN ON SATUF MORNINGS

The chairman then moved, us pre- j viously notified: “That the resolution j passed 10th November 1937: ‘That the j Board’s ordinary business hours be * from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 J p.m. on Mondays to Fridays inclusive each week and the by-laws be amend- , ed accordingly.' ho and is hereby rescinded.” The motion was seconded jud . -arried. The secretary explained that the present by-law in regard would stand, making the hours: 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday inclusive and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

INCREASED CHARGES ADOPTED

DISCUSSION ON EXCLUSION OF WOOL The next motion, in accordance with notice previously given, was moved by the chairman as follows: —“That all wharf dues and other dues, excluding harbour dues at Nelson and Mapua be

increased by ten per cent, to the nearest halfpenny and that the necessary steps be taken immediately to amend the bylaws accordingly.” The chairman asked that wool be excluded from the increased charges as he felt that 700 bales of wool from Murchison would be lost to the port if wool was included and he thought that other produce also would go to Picton instead of Nelson. The Nelson railway would also lose that business. The board agreed to the chairman adding the words “excluding wool” to his motion, which was seconded by Mr Price. Mr G. Manson said that at present wool was going to Christchurch overland from Brightwater. ] Mr A. R. Kingsford said he could not j see why any exception should be made ,to any industry. It opened the way lor applications from other industries. It was a very dangerous practice to make exceptions. Mr H. W. Chisnall agreed that it would be a dangerous practice. If the charges were raised, then it should apply to all. Mr H. W. Kelly agreed with Mr Kingsford’s contention. Mr W. C. Harley said if Port Nelson lost the Murchison wool it was hard luck. The increase was only lid per | bale and would not affect anyone seri- | ously. > Mr Manson said Nelson had no guar- . antee that it would get the Murchison j wool in any case. Mr Harley commented that the board i an d the public khew that road transport freights were strictly controlled. The Nelson railway was losing from £SOOO to £IO,OOO annually on runningcosts alone. Railway charges were not controlled and every penny cut in railway freights was an extra cost on the public. The railway reduced the freight on wool to obtain its carriage to Nelson. He did not see why the board should make a further burden on the public just to help keep the railway line open. Why should the public countenance reductions by the railway, which would produce greater losses which the public had to meet. Mr C. T. Price said he was in favour

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of excluding wool from the increased wharfages, for the sake of the railway, and Mr F. I. Ledger agreed with Mr Price. It was pointed out that the freight charges per bale of wool from Murchison to Wellington via Picton were 13s 6d to 14s and from Murchison to Wellington via Nelson 13s 6d. The increase would make the charges 13s Bd. Mr Harley moved an amendment that the worlds “excluding wool” be deleted from the motion. This was seconded by Mr Kingsford. The amendment was carried and the original motion was then adopted.