SHIPOWNERS AND HARBOUR BOARDS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13337, 1 February 1909, Page 4

SHIPOWNERS AND HARBOUR BOARDS.

THE QUESTION OF REPRESENTATION.

(press association telegram.) AUCKLAND. January 31

An important deputation of representatives of the New Zealand Shipowners.' Federation, waited upon the Minister for Marine, the Hon. J. A. Miliar, yesterday. Mr 13. Ford said orio of the most important questions was that of Harbour iio&rd representation. The ship-owners felt very keenly the fact that they had practically no voioo in. the administration of affairs connected with <fche harbour. They were quite, as the result of the present* constitution ot the Board. LaTger companies with a number of boats had. no more voting power than the agent -paying to the extent of £3. He hoped that when the new Act was introduced next session, there wditld bo provision for giving better representation to thp shipowners. Mr Ranaoii referred to the risk of fire on vessels lying at. the wharves, oud mentioned recent outbreaks on the Ngapuhi and WaimaTie. He thought it unjust, thatj having so much at stake, they had mot more votes. A company like.the Northern Steamship Company, with between 30 end 40 ves&?ils. ih-ad no mot* voting power tlian the man who- paid £3 in dues. Captain H; J. Bradney said that on c Harbour Board it was only fair to expect the marine interests to'have fair representation, but in the caso of the Auckland Harbour Board the ship--owners had scarcely any voice M fill. A Board mainly com prised'»f merchants oould not be oxpeci&a to posstsss the necessary knowledge OMpharino matters. He understood it waw h-e in'tehtio'n of ParliemeMt next s#i on to make some Amendment in the -j* ft, and he hoped to see the Minister m«i e> provision for the allotment of_ m! cc or four direct representatives of w| shipowners. , 'Jm Mr Millar said a strong caj|«!i had Keen made out for better representation on the Harbour Board. Tfc» difficnltv iras to make any hard aitfti fast rule", for wliilo in Auckland the ship* owners -wanted rep resent at ion j in a piece like Now., Plymouth there wouia lx> no owners asking for tion on that Board. If the thing was to be worked out equitably, the oiily way out of the difficulty wotild bo to mako special provision in Iho schedule of the new Act for Boards snob, afc at Auckland. Wellington, Lytt<?lton. Dunedin. and ffapier, -where spocial repreeentatioiv was ,desired._ " Referring "to the question <if legislation for oil mUnches, the Minister srtid ho was goinii to bring in regulations to deal -wiili tlieni, nfid thoy would nil bo brought within tho Teach, of tlio Act, special permits l>eimt low*hl to eetilers and owners of pleasure craft.