The Daily News SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1935. HARBOUR RETURNS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1935, Page 6

The Daily News

SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1935. HARBOUR RETURNS.

OFFICES: NEW PLYMOUTH. Curri® Street. STRATFORD, Broadway. HAWERA. High Street

The members of the New Plymouth Harbour Board who will be seeking next month the endorsement of ratepayers upon their stewardship during the past few years have a more cheering story to lay before the electorate than seemed likely at times during their term of office. The returns for the past halfyear denote steady increases in traffic and in earnings. In other words the port statistics confirm other indications that recovery in Taranaki is being achieved, although slowly and with no special fluctuations. With the exception of a small decrease of 23 tons in the coastal, all branches of harbour trade showed an advance upon that for the corresponding period last year, revenue, despite nearly £4OOO less in rate collections, was but £3OO

smaller, and there was a definite increase in imports. Among these a most satisfactory feature is an increase of 3000 tons in importations of fertilisers. Last year no basic slag was handled at the port of New Plymouth, but during the past six months 1220 tons has come over the wharves, while other manures, with the exception of sulphur, have also shown satisfactory increases. The importations of slag make it evident that there is a demand for this fertiliser in certain portions of the province and that landowners are prepared to pay its higher cost. It was understood last year that research was proceeding with the hope of manufacturing in New Zealand a substitute for basic slag. Judging from the increased importations of slag this result has not been attained, and the question arises whether a subsidy, at least to the amount of the exchange rate, on basic slag might not prove a wise investment on the part of the State. The revenue from sources other than port earnings and rates has remained buoyant, and there seem sound grounds for the hope expressed by the chairman of the board, Mr. C. E. Bellringer, that a reduction in next year’s rate may be possible. The board has not only a satisfactory record of administration to place before ratepayers, it has plans for improvements in the approaches and equipment of the harbour that should meet with general approval. The harbour authorities are working in cooperation with the borough council and tKe Railways Board, and there seems every prospect of bringing about considerable improvement in the road and rail services to the port. The additional crane and other improvements to equipment are warranted by the increase in shipping already evidenced, and that can be expected. Only by keeping up the standard of equipment and thus enabling the prompt discharge of oversea vessels can the port hope to keep its place as one of the main harbours of the Dominion. The movement to reduce the number bf ports of call is likely to strengthen as larger cargo-carrying vessels replace older shipping, but by showing that not only is there freight to be obtained at New Plymouth, but also that vessels can be handled expeditiously, the existing goodwill of shipowners towards the Taranaki port can no doubt be retained. At one time it was necessary to convince them of the safety of the port, but that is fortunately no longer necessary. The retiring board has had a difficult term of office. Its finances in the past two years have been seriously affected by the exchange rate, and its revenue was depleted by the fall in imports due to the general depression. In such circumstances the need or the opportunity for a progressive policy was more difficult to find, but it is satisfactory to know that with prosperity returning the board is making provision for future demands. The need for prudence is still imperative, as is that for men of experience to guide the destinies of the harbour until the troublous days have past. These are important-facts that it would be well for the electors to bear in mind when considering selection for the board to be chosen by them next month.