be in prosperity of this port which, even if this charge is posed, will still be one of the cheapest ports for shipping in the world. If it appeared to me that harbour dues such as I recommend should be imposed would have an injurious effect on the welfare of this Colony, I should not hesitate for a moment to advise that no such tax should be levied. I am fully alive to
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the importance to this Colony of shipping and to the necessity of care being taken to avoid imposing on it any burden which would deter vessels from visiting it. But in view of the figures given above, which show that the tonnage entering the port has steadily increased though it has had to pay for years a tax of 24 cents a ton - exactly the same amount which