THE HARBOURS BILL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 869, 15 July 1910, Page 6

THE HARBOURS BILL.

' . '"DEMOCRACY- RUN MAD." VARIOUS AMENDMENTS SUG- ' GESTED. A i deputation representing the Auckland. Harbour Board, and also attended by' Mr. Fletcher, chairman of the Wellington Harliour Board,, waifed on the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph- Ward) and the Minister.for Marino'(Hon. J. A. Millar) .yesterday, to lay before thein repre-. sentations in connection with tlio Har,'bour Boards Act Amendment Bill. . Mr. Entrica,n stated that ■ under the constitution proposed in the Bill the control of the harbour would be taken from Auckland. The board did not ob/ect to country' representation, but it. .should, be. in moderation. It. claimed- three members at least for the city alone, instead of three for the. city and Grey, Lynn. He thought that the Bill was democracy run mad. Tho cost of the elections wouldbe. from JEIOOO to .£101)0 übovo what it was now. Some of the suggestions that had been made w'ere quite absurd. One which had been made last year would have cost tho Auckland Harbour Board j:2000, a,nd would have involved,elections in nine Parliamentary constituencies. . Mr. Napier said the board desired to have power to run ferry services. .In Auckland the ferry was practically a.sea tramways. He .went on to make a strong protest against the proposal to take the entire control of ferries out ,of the hands of the harbour boards. Tho Prime Minister said the representations of the deputation, would have careful consideration. The Government had to consider that a-port belonged to tho country, as well as to, the city, but tho information on the local conditions were worthy of consideration. The representations in respect to the licensing of ferry steamers would bo considered, but in.tbe issue of certificates the Marine Department must be supreme.. He pointed out that if the board had the right to establish its own ferry service, this would be a powerful consideration in keeping ferry companies, up to the mark, for if the services were not properly conducted the board would have the power to start a service of .its own. He was speaking impersonally, and without I reference to the existing services. A point being considered by Cabinet was the request of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce for representation, but ho thought the House would be against this. Thero was ever a feeling in the House against, giving payers of dues representation, though personally he was strongly in favour of that. Mr. Myers. M.P., suggested that local bodies should select their representatives, Instead of having elections from tho ratepayers, anil the Prime Minister promised to consider this point.