NORTH OTAGO LOSS OF REVENUE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25503, 5 April 1944, Page 7

NORTH OTAGO

LOSS OF REVENUE

INADEQUACY OF GOVERNMENT GRANT STRONG PROTEST BY BOARD The action of the Government in offering £ISOO to the Oamaru Harbour Board for sealing the breakwater, but giving no financial assistance for loss of revenue from overseas shipping, was strongly criticised by members of the board at the monthly meeting yesterday, with the result that a strong protest is to be sent to the Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser). A letter was received from t)ie Treasury stating that the board’s application for assistance from the Government in respect to the loss of revenue caused by the diversion of overseas shipping to the main ports had now been dealt with, and the Government had directed that £ISOO be made available to assist in the sealing off of the breakwater, in order that work already done might be protected. The letter added that the Government had decided that, in view of the present position of the harbour bed and the technical information new available, there was no call for the board to proceed at the present juncture with dredging, and in the circumstances no funds could be provided by the Government for this purpose. Grants to Other Boards Mr R. K. Ireland said the amount had been whittled down. He recalled the Government’s statement that It would give relief to boards suffering loss of revenue through Home boats being diverted to the main ports. The Government had set up a committee to consider the matter, and the board had sent conclusive evidence showing that a loss of £BBOO had been suffered to date. Tire board’s deputation interviewed the Prime Minister, Mr P. Fraser, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr J. G. Barclay, and the Minister of Health, Mr A. H. Nordmeyer, in conjunction with the New Plymouth Board’s deputation. As a result of these interviews New Plymouth received £9OOO and Wanganui £9000; and yet the Oamaru Board which showed a loss of £BBOO, could get only £ISOO. There was something seriously wrong, said Mr Ireland. Either the Government had retracted or it was giving preference to some boards The matter was so serious that further steos should be taken by -the board to obtain justice. It was time the whole district took the matter up, and they should ask all the local bodies to meet th Mr > °c ld j Marshall said the board received £ISOO for sealing the breakwater, but not a penny for financial loss oi Mclnnes said he was very disappointed after the assurance given by the Prime Minister, who had told them that justice would be done to Oamaru. However, he said, what could they expect. Mr A. C. McLelland rose to a point ol order, objecting to a remark passed by Mr Mclnnes, and Mr Mclnnes withdrew lt- Mr Mclnnes. continuing, said that correspondence had been going to Wellington which was damaging to the port The chairman (Mr G. T. Gillies) saicl that the Prime Minister himself had stated that there was no case for assistance equal to that put up by Oamaru. “ Chucked Over ” Extension

Mr McLelland said that, according to the letter, Oamaru had been given £ISOO for the ensuing year. There was nothing to ,say that it was the full extent of the assistance they were going to get. He questioned very much if Wanganui and the other boards got the amounts in a lump sum. The secretary had informed them, said Mr McLelland. that the board was £BOOO down in revenue, but for the past 12 or 14 months everything received in revenue had been “ chucked over ” the extension. . „ . „ Mr Marshall: That’s the sort of talk. Mr McLelland, continuing, said that money was being wasted on the work on the extension, and yet members expected the Government to give money to be " chucked over ” the extension also. Mr Ireland moved that the chairman write to the Prime Minister and Mr Nordmeyer setting out the position and stating that Oamaru was not geting justice. This was seconded by Mr Mclnnes and carried.