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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 2, Issue 8 (December 1, 1927)

Some Unnecessary Harbours

Some Unnecessary Harbours.

Millions of pounds have been spent in the past in harbours around our coasts. Many of them should never have been started.

The Local Bodies Loans Board (advocated years ago by Chambers of Commerce), is doing excellent work. The pity is that it did not exist 15 years ago. What is the result of the expenditure on roadsteads? It is high freights in respect of all New Zealand produce, and high insurance rates, too. The ships must be compensated for the lost time and the risk involved in loading or waiting at open roadsteads, and the good ports pay for the bad, for the flat rate applying to all ports is fixed with regard to the risks mentioned.

The second class ports take a big toll of New Zealand and a general transport policy is required. It might pay the Dominion to load or discharge at central ports, and utilise road or rail transport or coastal steamers in conjunction therewith. The quicker “turn round” of overseas vessels would of itself effect savings of considerable magnitude.

These matters may fall a little outside of the purely railway purview, but are relevant and proper to consideration of a general transport policy, in which the railways are so vitally interested.