THE HARBOUR BOARD ELECTION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1735, 28 April 1913, Page 4

THE HARBOUR BOARD ELECTION.

| The activity which is being displayed in connection with the municipal election, campaign "is liable to obscure the hardly less important duty resting on the- public in respect of the Harbour Board elections. The, constitution of the Harbour Board is of course very different to, that of the City Council,, the special interests concerned in 'shipping and trade receiving direct representation on the Board-, while the Government has also power to nominate a member. The electors of Wellington appoint four members; the suburban boroughs two, the Wairarapa returns two, and the district around Manawatu two. These ten arc the only members who contest seats on a universal franchise basis, and the Wairarapa members were re-elected unopposed. In Wellington city there are ten candidates for the four seats, and there is a "Labour ticket." In view of the fact that there is small chance of the Labour-Socialist ticket dominating the Harbour Board, oven if elected, it is not so, serious a ,class menace as in the case of tho City Counfcil and the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, but it is a menace- all the same to the smooth working of the board's business. Citizens will probably recognise the desirableness of introducing a fair proportion of now blood in to • the board, and in this connection they will bo afforded the opportunity by tho candidature of Messhs. A. Leigh Hunt and'R. A. Wright, who with Mil.. J. Thevok. constitute the Municipal Electors' Association's "ticket. For the suburbs and surrounding counties the contest will probably.be between Messrs. .1. M'lSwan (sitting member), (.!. H. Scales., and Captain Watson. .Both Mb. Scales and Captain Watson

should make useful additions to the Iwarc!, and those electors who believe in periodical changes in their representatives on public bodies arc fortunately situated in having such a choice open to them for these two seats. In the Manawatu district keen interest has been evinccd by the candidates—Messrs. Coisnu, Cohen, and Elliott —the two first-named being the sitting members. Mr. Elliott, who is a well-known business man of P'almerston North, and who has done good service on local bodies, is meeting, with much support, the idea apparently being to associate him with Mr. Coiiiin to represent the district. He would make an cncrgetic representative, and, in conjunction with Mil. Coisbe, would add to the strength of the board. The payers of dues on ships have to chonsc between Messrs. W. H. Bkn'XBTT, W. JoNiiti, and H. L. Nathan. The voting strength for the twg scats requiring to be filled is so small numerically that the voters have no doubt ail been made fully acquainted with the respective merits of candidates long ere this.' In the ease of the payers of dues other than dues on ships, Mn. J. G. Harkness, who is opposed by Mr. A. D. Kennedy, will, we should imagine, continue to retain the confidence of his old constituents, and secure re-elcc-tion. Those vho are called on to cast their votes at the coming Harbour Board elections would do well to bear in mind that when there is any sign of a large public institution such as the Wellington Harbour Board getting into a groove, it is a good thing- to make a change here and there in the personnel of those controlling it. Wo have indicated above certain changes which can be niado at the polls this week without, any risk of loss of efficiency in tho administration of the board's affairs, but, on- the contrary, with possibilities of distinct advantages accruing therefrom.