HARBOUR FINANCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 116, 20 May 1942, Page 4

HARBOUR FINANCE

STATE HELP WANTED MR. FRASER’S ASSURANCE An assurance that the Government would consider the question of assisting the Wanganui Harlrour Board in its present difficulties, caused by (he falling off of trade, was given by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, at a special meeting of the board last night. Mr. Fraser added that most of the smailer ports were experiencing similar problems, due to the concentration of shipping at main centres. The |>osition was inevitable and due entirely tn war conditions, but hi Wanganui it was possibly accentuated by dredging Requirements. The Government recognised the need for keeping smaller ports open. Thanking Mr. Fraser for his attendance, the chairman. Hon. W. J. Rogers. M.L.C., said the board's total lebt stood at £536,735. As an indicaion of how trade had fallen off. Mr. Rogers added that in 1938 revenue otalled £36.898, reaching £70.023 in 1939 and £74,309 in 1940, when addiional revenue was received through .he Port Bowen. In .1941, however, •evenue dropped to £56,524. and it was jstimated that for this year it would ?e as low as £48,110. The rates had progressively increas'd and the hoard felt justified in askng for a subsidy to help it along, or hat the Government take over the )ort. or possibly devise some scheme >f nationalisation which ■would mean hat the larger ports would help those ■xperiencing difficulties. It was appre•iatod that fewer ships were coming o Wanganui because of war conriiions, and any action taken would be or the duration only. “One of the most serious positions o he faced.” said Mr. J. J. Scott, ‘‘is he way in which the port Is deterioriting.” He added that if the port vere to bp maintained an extensive Iredging programme was necessary, file to shoaling al the harbour onrance, in the berthage at Cactlecliff. ind in the river channel. This posiion was becoming progressively vorse. Tax on Ratepayers. Mr. Scott commented also that in he event of major ports being placed emporarily out of action secondary iorts would spring into importance mmediately, but if this occurred Wanganui might find itself at a disadvantige because the harbour had been slowed to deteriorate. Ratepayers were ilroady taxed tremendously and some issistancp should bp forthcoming. “We are in a very difficult, position. <ut if there was any possibility of rade returning in the near future it vould not be so bad.” said Mr. T. (litchell. “We are seeking assistance or the duration of the war only.” Excessive siltation in the river, paricularly during the past 12 months, (■as referred to by Mr. J. Patterson. Tils was caused by exceptionally wet weather and the river ■was carrying nore silt, now than over before. Silt in River. Mr. Fraser said he had passed hrough Wanganui on lhree or four iccasions and had noticed that the iver was a dull, yellow colour, “i lave wondered what had happened to he Wanganui River,” he added. The engineer, Mr. R. R. Dawson, aid he doubled whether the river had ieen clear for more than a fortnight, luring the past 12 months. Old ottlers had told him that they had lever known such a year for rain. The deputy-chairman, Mr. D. )w’yer. said there was some talk of lairy factories supplying produce lo ho cool stores at. Castlecliff divertng elsewhere. Such action would ncan a big loss to the Harbour Board. .'lr. Dwyer added Hint when hostiliies ended a tremendous amount of iroduce would bo shipped overseas rom New' Zealand. “There would bo o much congestion at tho larger lentros that, a port like Wanganui vould be a necessity.” he said. It vas obvious that roadstead trade at. he present time was out of the quesion. Fewer ships w'ero calling at Wangaiui and revnue had been curtailed. >ut the burden was becoming very leavy for tho ratepayers, said Mr. G. Hawkins. “At. this stage,” he added, it is 100 heavy for th-m to carrv. ”he position is due entirely In the avages of war, and when hostilities nd we hope to got. tho trade back.” Harbour Rutting Area, Freezing works, wool stores and hemical works were an asset to the istrict and the port should be kept pen, said Mr. R. Farley. The harbour ating area, he added, was too small, md it was a case of a few' paying lor he many. ‘I am glad to have had an opporuaity of attending this meeting ami ou have pul your problems forward ery forcibly,” said the Prime Miniser, who added that practically al! the mail ports had suffered since the >uibreak of war. The British Minisry of Food was most anxious to have hipping concentrated at the main torts and dispatched as quickly as tossible. Extended hours had been vorked, and in this respect Wanganui vaterside workers had a very good eputation. They had gone to Wflington and New' Plymouth when reluired and had done good work. Should the smaller ports, which hrough no fault of their own. had □st trade, be left to carry that load, t should the nation as a whole some o their assistance? This was a que>ion which must be considered. )amaru and other ports had ils > teen badly hit. “To my mind when turdens are placed on other sections f the community, or institutions s harbour boards, through curtailnent of trade, as far as possible tni't urden should he borne hy the whole f the community.” Mr. Fraser added. That is the idea, but whether we can ive up to them I do not know.” Mr. Fraser assured the board that e would examine the points raised nd submil them u> (';ibin<i.