EXPORT OF PRODUCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1923, Page 5

EXPORT OF PRODUCE.

FEWER PORTS TO BE USED. NEW PLYMOUTH’S CLAIM. STRESSED BY PRODUCERS. The question of improved shipping facilities was discussed by the meeting of producers at Stratford yesterday. It s h.as been suggested that the use of the main ports only would necessitate the cutting out of some of th, coastal ports, but this the Taranaki producers were not prepared to sanction., and passed a resolution to the effect that New Plymouth must be included in the main port list in any agreement for an improved shipping service. Mr. W. J. Freeth (Pukearuhe) asked Mr. W. Grounds (chairman of the control committee) whether he was prepared to give an undertaking to Tara- 1 naki people that the port of Moturoa would not be cut out under the centralisation of shipments scheme. POSITION NOT CLEAR. Mr. Grounds said that he would not give an absolute assurance. The main < object was to get tWeir produce Homa expeditiously, and it was necessary that no more time be lost on the coast than was necessary. With this object in View the shipping companies had suggested that they should call at thre* main ports only. This might ba amended to four, provided the porta could be worked in a fortnight and n» time was lost. Moreover, it did »»» follow that the boats would call at tha same three ports each time, and he thought that a satisfactory service could he provided without cutting out any of the main ports. There was reason for assuming that there was any intention of cutting out the more important ports, as it was not necessary to call at the same three parte each , time. Tfce present system involved a delay of about’six weeks around the coast. ... Mr. Rowlands (Mangorei) considered that there were good grounds for aasuming that Taranaki would be cut out, as the whole of the Taranaki produce did not go through one port. They had the right to assure themselves on • that point. . ~ Mr. Grounds said there was no justification for the fear, as far as he knew, as the Meat Board had considerable in- • terests in Taranaki.

PORT’S BIG TRADE. Mr. W. J. Honeyfleld (Patea) did not consider ijiat any factory in Taranaki , was justified in supporting the Bill un- / less New Plymouth was included «e one i of the ports'of export. Mr. J. S. Connett moved: That by ; reason of the amount of dairy produce exported from Taranaki, this meeting n - of opinion that in any future agreement entered into for an improved shipping service, Nexv Plymouth must be included | in the main port list.” . .a. 1 He said that, as a member of the Harbor Board, he had a good deal ot feeling in the matter. No one would I’ke to sea Moturoa excluded as a mam shipping port, and he would give reas- ) ons why it should be included. Tara- i naki produced 30.000 tons of produce. j <n one quarter of New Zealand s annual output, notwithstanding the fact that Auckland had increased by 10,000 tons and now stood at 40,000. Wellington, in- I eluding Wanganui, produced a similar 1 quantity, while the South Island s total was 20,000 tons. During the season t.m j Moturoa works had handled 16,000 tons, Ihalf of which had been exported I Mr. Sutton (Moa Farmers) seconded ■ the motion, which was carried.