THE MAUI POMARE

Otago Witness, Issue 3885, 28 August 1928, Page 37

THE MAUI POMARE

LIABILITY TO PORT CHARGES. WELLINGTON BOARD STANDS FIRM. WELLINGTON, August 23. A dispute is going on between the harbour boards and the Government as to the latter’s refusal to pay port charges and dues on the Maui Pomare. The Minister claims that it is exempt like other Government vessels. The Wellington Board contends that if the Government finds it necessary to assist the Cook Islands the losses incurred should be a charge on the Consolidated Fund, and should not fall on the harbour boards. Other Government vessels are not engaged in trade, and do not require facilities for handling cafgo. Other trading concerns of the Government paid the ordinary charges, and no exception should be made in this case. The Minister, in reply, said the Government had stepped in where private enterprise had failed, and the venture was likely to be run at a financial loss for some time to come. He was, however, prepared to pay harbour dues as far as the service with Niue and Samoa was concerned, provided the board refunded any payments by way of port charges, berthage, and harbour masters’ fees. In the discussion on this reply members stood firm, and characterised the claim as extraordinary, unjustified, unfair, and introducing the thin end of the wedge. Resolutions were passed refusing to agree with the principles set out in the Minister’s letter, and drawing up a remit for the next Harbours Boardr Conference to the effect that Government vessels carrying freight-earning cargoes should pay the same harbour dues M ordinary trading vessels.