FREIGHT INCREASE SOUGHT

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20785, 21 April 1939, Page 6

FREIGHT INCREASE SOUGHT

Air Nash’s inability to give the dairy farmers a guarantee that their costs would not further be increased can be understood, since the Alinister was even then reporting to the conference that the shipping companies were demanding increases in freight rates on New Zealand produce—because of the increased costs in working the Dominion’s ports. The Government is opposing any increase in freights and has promised to endeavour to improve efficiency in the handling of cargo, thus easing the port charges in general. Air Nash will have the support of the country in these efforts, but it must be admitted that the overhaul of waterfront conditions has been left perilously late. Can the Government convince the shipping companies that its appeal to those engaged on the waterfront will have the desired effect of reducing the costs of handling cargo ? Stabilisation at the present level will not be enough to avert an increase in freight rates. The only solution is greater effort on the part of the watersiders and greater efficiency in the management and equipment of the ports. The alternative is clearly a further burden, particularly on the primary industries. This difficulty was foreseen long ago by those whose livelihood depends on seaborne trade, but the authorities refused to move until the last minute. It may not be too late, but immediate action is required. Nothing short of a national determination to throw off the ineitia of recent times will suffice to meet this and other difficulties facing the country. The Government is awakening to the need, a fact which is being disclosed in almost every Ministerial statement. Unproductive expenditure must give place to work that will a substantial return. Industry must become more efficient, wasteful sectional clashes must be avoided, but above all the individual worker must determine to give a better return for the many advantages he has been granted by a paternal State. Only by greater effort can he hope to maintain the high standard set and make it possible for the industries upon which the country depends to continue to operate successfully.