GOVERNMENT IN BUSINESS

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 24, 6 September 1928, Page 8

GOVERNMENT IN BUSINESS

THE MAUI POMARE.

PAYMENT OF HARBOUR DUES,

Mr P. Thomson moved at last night’s meeting of the Chamber o? .Commerce that- tho Chamber associate itself with the Wellington Harbour Board in its protest against tlio Government refusing to! pay harbour dues for its steamer the Maui Pomare. Mr Macalister seconded. He said such Government action was becoming a distinct danger in the country, and the sooner it was put a stop to tiie better.

The chairman (Mr J. 18. Ricljvrds) thought- the position needed some chairing u)». The Ysfemclbrs could not. get a. steamer to call for their produce, and it was quite permissible to get a steamer to carry on trade between the Islands mid Now ■Zenhand. *As soon as the trade was esflablished on a commercial basis, however, he thought the Government should eive it' no.

Mr Thomson: The harbour "dues should be paid by the whole of tho taxpayers of the country and not only by the ratepayers of the Wellington harbour district. The chairman said he did not suggest that one local body should bear the Ices of the Clues. The Government might institute - a service to carry Nauru phosphates to New Plymonth, hut they should not be let off- hhrbour dues, just because doing so would make fertilisers cheaper for the people of Taranaki.

The motion was carried, and a. copy is to he forwarded; to the Governmont and to the Wellington Harbour Board. 1