HIGH PORT CHARGES

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11664, 31 October 1923, Page 2

HIGH PORT CHARGES

PENALISING THE NEW ZEALAND FARMER.

In the June issne of "The Pastoral Review*' was published particulars showing the cost to the owners for a vessel of 4737 tons register obtaining a cargo on one trip to Australia. Thi6 article has been reprinted throughout much of the world, and (says the "Review") has opened the eyes, not only of producers, but of the hosts of shippers who suffer from the extortion. No reduction* so far have been made. It has been a popular cry to abuse the British shipowner for his "greed" by the high rate of freights charged, but now it has come home to most people that the root of the evil is the extortion of our port authorities, and the State Governments, who mostly add to their revenue by getting a share of the profits of the undertakings. We now show that Australia i 6 not alone a sinner in this respect, New Zealand is as bad. Taking a steamer of the same tonnage as the Woodarra, which ship we instanced on the Australian coast, the table herewith shows the cost that would be incurred under the heading of port charges, allowing for three days' stay at each port of call (shillings and pence omittea):—

S.S. WOODAKRA.

1914—Average per port. ,£157 Ob Bd. 1922—Average per port, J 2196 15s (3d (say, 27 per cent, increased With regard to light dues, fhip rate has been increased' from 4d to 6d per ton on the net registered tonnage at the first port of call in New Zealand, while tho remaining ports have been increased from id to id, which is a 100 per cent, increase.

This' matter, both in Australia and New Zealand (concludes the "Review") has to be tackled firmly by the producers, and pressure must be brought to bear on the Governments, otherwise they will continue to be handicapped by high freight*. Shipping companies are not making undue profits. The crux of the trouble is in our own country.

Port Light Port. .Pilot. Charges. Berth Dues.Tl. 1914. £ £ • £ £ Auckland . .. 80 60 15 80 236 Gisborne ... 40 — 5 45 Napier .. 20 40 — 5 66 Wellington .. 100 40 15 5 161 Lyttelton .. .. HI 40 15 5 201 JUunedin ... .. 161 40 15 5 221 Bluff 40 40 5 1GC 585 302 100 110 1099 1922. Auckland . .. 120 60 15 120 317 Gisborne ... 40 — 10 50 Napier Wellington .. 20 .. 100 60 60 30 10 91 10 201 Lyttelton .. 60 30 10 206 Dunedin ... .. 161 40 60 10 272 Bluff 60 00 10 251 Towage .. — 20 - - 600 382 216 181 1391