WHARFAGE CHARGE ANOMALY

Taranaki Daily News, 10 July 1929, Page 3

WHARFAGE CHARGE ANOMALY

NEW SYSTEM AT NEW PLYMOUTH. IMPORTERS OBJECT TO INCREASE. Anomalies bearing heavily on importers in connection with the new system of collecting wharfage at New Plymouth in accordance with ships’ manifests were the subject of comment at the meeting of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce last night. It was decided to ask the Harbour Board to meet the railway and shipping committee of the chamber and discuss the subject with a view to clearing away the difficulties. Under the arrangement in question wharfage is computed on the same basis as the sea freight.

Referring to a circular to importers recently issued by the Railway Department, lie understood at the request of the Harbour Board, Mr. P. E. Stainton said the method of compiling wharfage charges there announced would press very heavily on those concerned. In some instances importers would pay almost double the charges of the past. He pointed out that the increased costs would eventually be passed on to the consumers, but he felt sure that if the difficulties and hardships experienced were discussed with the Harbour Board it would be found to be quite reasonable and would show its willingness to meet the complaints of importers. When there was any suggestion that undue charges were being levied it was the duty of the chamber to make investigations. Importers in the district were seriously concerned about the effect of the new charges, and he would say that unless the anomalies were removed, so far as South Taranaki trade was concerned, it was going to mean the difference between shipping via Wanganui and New Plymouth. Mr. J. R. Cruickshank, who is a member of the Harbour Board, said it was generally understood that when a change was being made from one system to another anomalies were bound to arise. He felt sure, however, that the board would be only too willing to consider adjustments suggested in representations from individual businessmen and importers, or from the chamber. He thought it a good idea of Mr. Stainton’s that the chamber should interest itself L. the matter.

Mr. Gordon Fraser said there were some very severe anomalies in the interpretation of the by-laws in question, hut he did not think the board had contemplated that they would occur. He pointed out that it had been left to the Railway Department to notify importers of the change. • Mr. H. F. Mirams: The department received explicit instructions to follow the board’s by-laws. Mr. Fraser said the objection was not to the board collecting in accordance with its by-laws, but there was strong objection to the arbitrary method of interpreting weights and measures. He instanced the case of a ton being measured as 10 sacks.