PORT OF WHANGAREI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15663, 17 July 1914, Page 8

PORT OF WHANGAREI.

CUSTOMS OFFICE WANTED.

UNFAVOURABLE REPLY.

[bt telegraph.—own correspondem.]

Whavqakei, Thursday. Is connection with the movement which has been on foot some time to have Wiangarei declared a port o l ' entry the Whangarei Chamber of Commerce lias received a communication from the Minister fo» Customs, the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, stating that he was unable to give a (ivon?able reply. The Minister said that th» experiment was being tried at Rufscll because at that place the Customs Department already had an officer who could do the neenscary work, and further, that vessels from Australia called at Russell direct. He was not aware that vessels from Australia made Whangarei a first port of call, nor did he think that they would if a, Customs officer was stationed at the pert.

The president, Mr. D. W. Jack, considered that a retrograde step had been made, and he pointed out that Whang*' rei was nearer to securing its obj«» several years ago, when the one stipulation made was that local traders shou.a supply a bonded store. Mr. A. L. Hempton questioned whethev the granting of the request would maw for any special progress as far as tna general public, were concerned, «nd Di pointed out that Hue business people were not unanimous in the matter. ' . The president contended that a port « pntry would have advantages, and W» any benefits received by business pW>K' would be passed on to the consumers. »* considered that it should be the aim 01 Whangarei not to do all its business through Auckland. • The chamber decided to persevere }» "J* matter and to bring under the Jlin ' 3t fJ notice previous correspondence w&cfl u* l passed on the subject. *.