OVERSEAS SHIPPING HANDLING SOUGHT FOR WANGANUI

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 January 1947, Page 4

OVERSEAS SHIPPING HANDLING SOUGHT FOR WANGANUI

Handling of overseas ships at the Wanganui roadstead is envisaged, and endeavours may possibly be made by Federated Farmers to have this service resumed.

Decentralisation of shipping was the subject of discussion by the Dominion Council of Federated Farmers recently when the following motion was supported: "That the Dominion Council views with concern the lack of appreciation of the facilities of secondary ports in handling more economically than thc few large centres goods required in their respective hinterlands, and urges upon the Government decentralisation of importation by the declaration of secondary ports as ports of entry.” “Since the beginning of 1941 overseas ships have been loading and unloading only at four ports in the North Island—Auckland, Wellington, Napier and New Plymouth—and at four ports in the South Island Lyttelton, Timaru, Dunedin and Bluff,” it was stated. "This policy of centralisation of ports of call was arranged by the Government with the overseas shipping companies in order to expedite the turnround of ships which were in short supply because of the war. Overseas ships were of course under the control of the United Kingdom Ministry of Shipping. “It must be pointed out that the present policy of centralisation the shipping companies pay all the extra costs of centralising exports at ports of loading and all costs of distributing imports from ports of discharge to final ports of destination. "If we can get back to the position where boats can load in the roadstead at Wanganui it, will be a good thing not only for Wanganui, but for shipping, as there seems to be more than enough trouble at the main’ports," commented Mr. A. R. Laird, at yesterday's meeting of the Wanganui provincial executive. The executive decided to refer the matter to individual branches for opinion before deciding on any action.