Suva Wharf Costs Have Risen 10- NZ

OUR statement, in the November issue (p. 57), that the Suva port authority had levied 5/- per ton on cargo, to pay for wharf earthquake damage, was not correct.

A Suva merchant writes: The 5/- was an increase made by the shipowners carrying overseas freight to and from Fiji, and was declared to be for the purpose of recompensing them for the addi tional cost involved in handling cargo, owing to the tidal wave and hurricane damage to the Suva wharf.

There is considerable delay, and congestion, and cargo has to be taken much greater distances before it can be put down or stored in the wharf area. It is the shipowners’ responsibility, in Suva, to land the cargo and put it into its place of storage in the wharf area. This is. of course, included in the freight which the shipowners charge.

You quote a rate of 106/6 as rul ing to-day. This, also, is not quite correct. It is 106/6 per ton, New Zealand Currency. This includes a rise of 5/-, effective from December 1, to cover increased charges, etc., applicable to overseas vessels. That is a rise over and above the 5/put on for wharf delays in Suva That 5/- was also based in New Zealand currency.

In the last few months the total rises have been from 97/6 New Zea

land currency to the present rate of 107/6, NZ currency, for Auckland/ Suva.

In Fiji currency, 106/6 NZ is 119/8.