DOMINION PORTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1816, 31 July 1913, Page 5

DOMINION PORTS.

THE CONFERENCE—I9I3.

STATE & HARBOUR LANDS.

OTHER BIG QUESTIONS. ' THE MINISTER ON CHANGES TO COME. The sixth.,conference of. tho. Harbours' Association of Now Zealand was held yesterday in tho Town Hall. Tho president (Mr. R. Fletcher) was in tho chair. The delegates who responded to tho roll-call were:—Auckland, Messrs. C. Bagley, G. R. Hutchinson, H. B. Burnett; Bhtff, Messrs. A. F. Hawkc, A. Bain', G. R. George; Foxton, Messrs.'P. J. Hennessy, J. A.' Nash; Gisborne, Hon. Captain Tucker, M.L.C., Mr. AV. D. S. Macdonald, M.P.; Greymoutli,' Mr. J'j. J. Scantlebury; Lyttelton, Messrs. R. Moore, A. Kaye, G. J. R. Williams; Napier, Mr. J. P. Kenny; Nelson, Messrs. H. R. Duncan, G. Itocriiahon; New Plymouth, Messrs. J. B. Connett, E. Maxwell; Oamaru, Messrs. J. Williams, C. A. La Roche; Otago, Messrs H. E. Moller, Walker, E. C. Hazktt, W. Wilkinson; Patea, A. Christensen; Thames, Mr. T, W. Rhodes, M.P.; Timoru, Messrs. H. J. Rolleston, G. A. Armitago, W. J. Bardsley; Waitara, Mr. C. K. Wilson, M.P.; Wellington, Messrs. R. Fletcher, W. T. Hildreth, C. W. Jones; Wairau, Messrs. L. Griffiths, A. J. Moelaine. Tho Westport delegates arrived last evening, too late to take part in tho conference. Tho chairman welcomed the delegates .to Wellington and gave a short resume of some of the more important matters to be considered by the conference. When the conference had concluded its sittings, it would place tho results of its deliberations before the Government which, he hoped,"would givo cfTect to'them. In the past the recommendations of the association had not received from the Government the consideration they dEserred. Tho secretary (Mr. A. G. Barnett) read the report of tto Executive Committee, from the date of the fifth conference in October, 1911,- up to the present time. Tho addition of the Wairau Harbour Board' had brought the lhembership, up to twenty-three. Tho receipts were <£108 15s. 8(1., and the expenses ,£lOl 15s. sd. The balance of assets over liabilities at tho end of the year was .£135 19s. 5d., an increase of £25 9s. lid. over the previous year. Mayoral Welcome.

The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) was present at the opening of the conference, and was introduced to the delegates by tho chairman. Mr. Luke, who was received with applause, welcomed the delegates on-behalf of, the. citizens of Wellington.. The capital city, he said, responded to the desires and tho needs' of the people of all parts of tho Doiiiinion. Tho community of interest of the peuile of tho Dominion was furthered, by tho regular .meeting together of those who controlled the destinies of tho local bodies: If they wero to build up a great country, there must be -no fostering of tho parochial spirit. (Hoar, hear.). Tho four great harbours of the Dominion wore controlled by men who ha<l a sense of their responsibilities, -not only to their own pari;, but to tho country as a whole. No one centre had a mortgage, over the_ progrpssiveness duo to'- the -wJiole Dominion.' There were other ports in tho Dominion which needed building up aad developing, arid they, too/ would become associated in tho great progress that was coming year by year. The 'Mayor paid a tribute , to Mr, Fletcher, who, he said, had given a large amount of his time and his best, years to public work. (Applause.) Election Rolls.

Mr. H. B. Burnett (Aticklaud) moved, and Mr. G. I{. Hutchinson (Auckland) seconded: "That Section 5, Harbours Amendment Act s 1912, be amended to read 'Where all the electors of & country, borough, road district, or town district are entitled to vote at an election of ■a member of a harbour. board to be held oh a day other than tho day fixed-for the election of-tho local ■ authority • of such county, borough, road district, or town district, as the case .may be, the existing roll of tho said county, borough, road district, or town district shall be used for the purpose of such election; and where no Such roll is in existence, the cost of compiling,such roll shall be borao by tho local authority.'" Several delegates expressed the opinion that it would be unfair for a har,bour board to make a county council pay for ai roll which would bo of use only for harbour board elections, and of no use to the county council. Tho.mover, in reply, said'that the motion was intended to refer to new districts where a roll had not previously been prepared. . The motion was carried. A further remit on the same subject was rn'oved by Mr. C. W. Jones /Wellington): "That the cost of compiling and printing a sufficient number of rolls for the harbour board elections by the various local authorities within a harbour district should be borne by such local authorities respectively." The chairman pointed out that the local bodies had to have their rolls compiled and printed in any case. What tho harbour boards required was merely a few'extra copies of tho roll. . 1 Mr. T. V. 7 . Rhodes, M.P. (Thames), said that printing was . so. expensive that smaller local bodies would have much difficulty in giving effect to. such a resolution. Many . local bodies used merely a manuscript roll. The motion was carried.

Candidates' Deposits. Mr. -A. F. Hawke (Bluff) moved: "That tho following provision be inserted in the Harbours Act: (a) Every candidate for the office of a member of a harbour board to bo elected by tho' electors of a borough,- a county, or a combined district, shall at the time of -nomination deposit with the returning officer the sum of ,£lO. (b) If the candidate does not poll one-eighth of the votes polled by tho successful candidate, or, as tho case may be, by the successful candidate polling the fewest votes, the deposit shall be forfeited to the harbour fund, but otherwise, or if such candidate is elcctcd without a poll, shall be returned to him." The mover said that such a provision would considerably reduce the cost of elections, by preventing tho candidature of those.who have no chance of election, but aro merely "having a fly." Mr. A. Bain (Bluff) seconded. Mr. C. Bagley (Auckland) opposed "the romit. Harbour board members were not paid for their services, and it taxed many of them sufficiently to have to find their election expenses. Many a man well qualified as a member did not have .£lO to deposit. Ho hoped they would sot abandon a democratic' principle, and illow the boards to be composed entirely of capitalists, who did not have the monopoly of brains. Mr. J. B. Connett (New Plymouth) moved an amendment that the amount bo X-1. Mr. T. W. Rhodes seconded. Mr. R. Moore (Lyttclton) deprecated talk of capital and labour. They were not concerned with any class, but, were there in the interests of the harbours and the general public. (Hear, hear.) The chairman supported the amendment, which was carried.

Popular Election. Mr. J. A. Nash (Foxton) moved: "That tho old system of election of boards, i.e., by nomination by local bodies, where possible, be reverted to." The mover said that the motion might be described as undemocratic, but democracy was sometimes expensive. Tho election of boards as at present conducted cost far more than the old system of nomination by local bodies. Mr. C. Bagley (Auckland) seconded the remit, pro forma. He claimed that, if carried, it would disfranchise road boards.

The remit was defeated by a largo majority. Other Election Matters. Mr. E. Moore (Lyttelton) moved: "That the Harbour Acts bo amended to provide that the election of all elective members of harbour boards bo pluced under the control and direction of ono chief returning officer, to be appointed by each of tho respective harbour boards." 'X'lio intention of the remit was .to save expenso at elections. The last election at Lyttelton cost a sum of <£800. Mr. C. J. K. Williams seconded. Mr. Walter (Otago) opposed the remit, which ho said would rather increase the cost of election, owing to the duplication of machinery. Mr. Ct. 1?. Hutchinson (Auckland) supported the proposal, which, he said, would obviato it great deal of trouble such as had occurred at previous elections. Tho remit was carried by 19 votes to 15. Air. C. W. Jones (Wellington) moved: "That elections for members of all local bodies bs held upon tho same date, and at triennial intervals." The mover said that this remit had been adopted at the last conference. JJr. J. B. Connett (New Plymouth) seconded. Tho motion was generally supported, and was adopted without dissent. Mr. C'. W. Jones (Wellington) moved and Mr. J. B. Connett (Xew Plymouth) seconded: "That in respect of any Harbour Board _ election that is held simultaneously with the election, of members of tho local authority, where it is necessary to hold a poll for such local election, tho Harbour Board shall bo liable only for tho costs of advertising and printing, other than compilation and printing of rolls,, und a sum equivalent to 10 per cent, of the actual cost to tho local authority of conducting its own and the Harbour Board election apart from costs of advertising and printing." Tha remit was adopted without discussion. Exemption of Whalers. Mr. A. P. Hawke (Bluff) moved and Mr. G. li. Hutchinson (Auckland) seconded a resolution removing the exemption from harbour dues, at present enjoyed by jvhaling vessels. It was stated that several ports, especially Bluff and Auckland, wero used by foreign whalers, who were making a 'considerable profit out of the Dominion, and paying nothing. The remit was adopted.

Government Exemptions. The chairman moved, on behalf of Wellington: "That the Government be requested to amend the Harbours Act so that all Government goods passing over or using the boards' wharves shall pay dues in the same manner as ordinary mercantile cargo." The mover described tho remit as "an old friend." It touched on a very sore point witli all boards. Several speakers emphasised the injustice of the present position. In Wellington alone about 40,000 tons of coal, and 10,000 tons of other goods pass over tho wharves every year, without tho payment of a penny of dues. The motion was carried by a largo majority.

A further remit on the same subject: "That the Government be requested to amend tho Harbours Act so that Government coal hulks and other vessels engaged in commercial trading shall pay harbour dues and licenses," was moved by the chairman, and adopted.

The chairman further moved: "That the Government be requested to omit from future mail contracts tho special clause exempting steamships carrying mails from paymfint of harbour dues." Tho Government, he said, was reaping a benefit at tho expense of the local bodies. When Shipowners tendered for the carrying of mails they knew that thev would enjoy certain privileges, which allowed them to quote a lower prica than tlwy would otherwiso do. Last year at AVellington they had been unable to collect dues on 149,000 tons of shipping. v • Tho remit was unanimously adopted. Money on Deposit. Mr. G. E. Hutchinson (Auckland) moved: "That similar powers granted to municipal corporations as to tho receipt of moneys on deposit and payment of interest ,ou satno bo granted to harbour boards." It was stated that city councils had found the power to receive moneys on deposit had been a great convenience. If harbour boards had the same power it would greatly assist them in their financial affairs. Tho motion was carried. J ' Eolleston (Timaru) moved: That loans to bo raised by harbour boards may bo raised in tho manner -provided by tho Local Bodies' Loans Act, 190S, and the amendments thereof, and that the provisions of those Acts, with lic-cessary consequential alterations, shall apply asuf such boards were local authorities, and such loans wero loans for public works, within the meaning of those Acts." Tho remit was adopted without discussion. "Downright Robbery."

There were threo remits, from Auckland, Napier, and Wellington respectively, dealing with the taking of land by the Government from boards. It was decided that th-e Wellington remit be taken as covering all three, and it was moved by Mr. G. R. Hutchinson (Auckland): "That the Government be requested to amend Section 126 of the Harbours Act, 1908, to provide that where land is taken from a harbour board by the Government the compensation payable shall in every case be the full value of the land at the time of such taking." The chairman said the remit was the most important, on the order paper. It was nothing else but'downright robbery for the Government to take lands as they had done. Wellington had suffered, and so had Otago. It was true that the land could be taken for road or railway purposes,V but in most cases the land wart more useful to the boards to hold for future profit. Mr- Nash- (Foxton) and Mr. Hazlett (Otago) gave evidence of injustices imposed on their boards by the Government, • The remit was unanimously adopted.

Government Wharves. , M r - J.. A. Nash (Foxton) moved:— That this conference resolves that, in the best .interests of the communities affected thereby, every Harbour Board should have tho management and control of wharves in its own district; that experience has proved that control by tlie Government in such districts is undesirable and unsatisfactory, and the Government is respectfully asked to give effect to this resolution." The mover said that if the Railway Department had control of the wharves at Foxton, it should also pay for the work of improving the river. Mr. H. R. Duncan (Nelson) seconded. He said that the system of dual control lod to endless friction in his port. The board had tried to bnv the whirve'. but the Government would not sell. Therefore tho board must go on improving the j harbour for the benefit of the GovernI mot. Such a system hampered progress. Mr. G. R. Hutchinson (Auckland) moved, and Mr. H. B. Burnett (Auckland) seconded, an amendment striking, out tho words: "That exnerieneo has proved that control by the Government in such distr'its is undesirable and unsatisfactory." The mover stated that the Auckland Board had had no trouble over the Departmental control of the Government ' wharves on Manukau Harbour (Onehunga). Mr. R. Moore said that if the Foxton and Nelson Hoards were in such an nn-fort-unato position, thtw should have control of the wharves, but there was no need for reference to other ports which had niido no complaint. Tho chairman said that Foxton and Nelson had his entire fympntliy. and their request wa.s mo=t roi-onnblc. Speaking plainly, he s?id that the Government -.vn* careful to look after itself, quite regardless of the local bodies. Till words objected to were a statement of fad. WI'V should tliev not be left in? Mr. A. Kayo (Lyttelton) said the words might irritate tho Government, and this was not advisable if they wished to make progress. The amendment was defeated, and the motion adopted. Land 'for Excavation. Mr. C. Bagley (Auckland) moved:— "That Section 103, H.A., be amended to read: 'Subject to the provisions of this Act. every Harbour Hoard may from time to time in the manner provided by the Public Works Act, 1008, (a) Take land required for any harbour works which such board is by this or any special Act authorised to undertake, or for any of the purposes mentioned in Sub-section (b) hereof; (b'l take any earth, stone, boulders, gravel, sand, or other material off, from or out of any land for the purposo

of using the same in or about any harbour works.'" The remit was agreed to without discussion. Reclamation. Mr. H. B. Burnett (Auckland) moved, and it was agreed"That Section 42, Sub-section (1), Harbour Amendments Act, bo amended to read' Except as provided in .Section 158 of the principal Act, no laud shall be reclaimed from tho sea. or from the waters of any harbour, and no graving-dock, dock, r,r breakwater shall be constructed in any harbour or ill tho sea except under the- authority of a. special Act. Provided that the Governor may from time to time by Order-in-Council authorise any local authority or Harbour Hoard to reclaim areas not exceeding five acres in extent in any where ho considers that the reclamation will not affect navigation, and is for tho benefit of the public, and in such case it shall not be necessary to obtain a special Act.'" Sewers. Mr. G. E. Hutchinson (Auckland) moved"That Section 142, H.A., l;o amended to read: 'Where it is agreed between t)i9 board and the local authority having jurisdiction over any land reclaimed from tho sea by tho board, or over any land vested in the board or held as an endowment for tho board, to construct any road, street, or main sewer over or through such land, it shall bo lawful for the lward to contribute out of its revenue sucli proportion.'of tlie cost of construction as may be agreed on by tho board and the local authority. Provided that Ihe amount to be so contributed in respect of any road, street, or main sewer on any land other than land reclaimed from the sea by the board shall not exceed fifty per cent, of the cost of t.he construction of such road, street, or main sewer.' The necessary consequential amendments to bo made to Section 43 of the Harbours Amendment Act, 1910." The remit was adopted.

Wharf Matters. Mr. (!. Bayley (Auckland) moved:— | . That Section 147 (b), H.A., bo amended t to read: 'On any lands legally vested in it, construct such warehouses, storehouses, sheds, and other buildings and works as may be necessary for the accommodation of goods shipped or unshipped at the harbour; or for the use or convenience of importers or exporters or of shipping owners or agents, or for any other purpose which the board may decide.'" The motion was carried. Jlr. G. E. Hutchinson (Auckland) moved an amendment to the definition of "wharf" in the Act, as follows-.—"'Wharf' , includes all wharves, ijuays, piers, jetties, breastworks, reclamations, and premises i in, oil, or from, which passengers or goods may be taken on board of or landed from ships or vessels." •' Tlie remit was adopted. Mr. (}, Bayley (Auckland) moved an alteration to Section IGI of tho Harbours •Act, as follows: —"For the prevention- of doubts and disputes as to the limits of any ivluarf under the control of a board, such board may from time to time u.y occasion > requires by public notice and •with tho previous consent of the Minis' ter define for the purpose of this Act th» limits and boundaries of any wharf and approach, thereto; and every wharf so defined shall be deemed to be a wharf for tho purposes and within tlie meaning of this Act/' Mr. AVnlker (Otago) moved an amendment: "That lands of harbour boards adjacent to a wliarf be included in tho definition of 'wharf.'" ■Mr. Burnett (Auckland) explained that a board could not collect dues on a par-tially-constructed wharf. Goods landed on the fore-shore wore not iiable to the payment of dues. Jlr. Bayley accepted the amendment, which was accordingly substituted for his motion, and carried. » Pilotage. Mr. A. F. Hawke (Bluff) moved the following addition to< Section 32, Harbours Amendment Act, 1910: "In the event of a ship in respect of which a pilotage rates' exemption certificate has been issued entering a port in charge of a master or mate having an exemption certificate for a vessel of less net tonnage than that of the vessel so entering, the , ship shall bo liable for payment of in- • . ward and outward pilotage until the officer in charge possesses a certificate for tho requisite net tonnage." The remit was adopted. Dock Charges. Mr. E. Moore (Lyttelton) moved: "That it is in the interest of harbour 'boards, and, consequently, of the public, that the charges for tho uso of graving docks owned by harbour boards should be uniform throughout the Dominion of New Zealand." It was stated that if the remit were adopted, a conference of boards controlling docks would be necessary to fix tho rates. 1 The motion was opposed by tho Otago delegates. It was contended that if dock charges were made uniform, there must also be uniformity of other .dues. Tlie matter was not one for the conference, but solely for the consideration of the boards particularly concerned. The chairman agreed that the matter was not one for the conference, but for mutual agreement amongst the boards. Tho remit was rejected. Boat Sheds. Mr. W. T. Hildreth(AVellington)moved: "That Section 131 of the Harbours Act, 1903, be amended by giving power to boards to grant foreshore licenses to lay dow;n boat sheds and skids of a fixed limited size for pleasure, purposes, and suction pipes for conveyance of sea-water, without the necessity of obtaining the ap- . proval of the Governor-in-Council, pro- : vided that such licenses shall contain a J provision that the board shall bo en- • titled at any time to determine the same ; without compensation to the licensee upon ! giving the licensee tlireo months' written notice thereof, the licensee to have the ; right to remove structures erected by j him."

The motion was carried. Equality of Votes. Mr. J. P. Kenny (Napier) moved: "That in the event of a scrutiny of voles being made at an election, the magistrate shall exercise all the powers of a returning officer in the event of an equality of votes, so as to avoid a fresh election." Tho mover stated a case in which a magistrate, finding an equality of votes, had ordered a fresh election, holding that he had not the power of a returning officer to east lots. The remit was adopted. Further remits regarding elections, moved by Mr. Kenny, and agreed to. were as follow:—"(1) That the Local Elections and Polls Act, Sections 28 and 29, bo amended to permit the returning officer to check the returns of the deputies before declaring the poll; (2) that any person who is an elector of any local authority within a harbour district may be 1 a candidal© for any division of such district." Government Nominees. Mr. Kenny further moved: "That tho conference affirms tho opinion that the principle of Government nominees on harbour lioards is unsound, and that if the nominations, in so far as all boards are concerned, are not delated, they should be at least deleted from boards that have j rating powers." 1 It was stated that the Mokau and Timarn Boards were tlio only ones which did not liavo nominees of tho Government. Mr. Bagley (Auckland) said there was an old maxim, "no taxation without representation." In this case there was certainly no taxation, but there was a very great deal of representation. Mr.. Jones (Wellington) thought that nominee representation was wrong on any board. The present Government, lie understood, was ooposed to nomination in tho Legislative Council and tho Civil Service. There might, therefore, be some hope for theiu. Mr. Walker (Otago) said that the nominee system had been successful so far as his board was concerned. The Government controlled tho wharves at Port Chalmers. The chairman said that in sueli a case tho board might ha.vo some right to representation, but nomination io such boards as Wellington was absolutely pernicious. Mr. If. F,. Moller (Otago) said that he was sorry to disagree with his colleagues, but his own opinion was that the Government; nomination system hod been a curse to the Iward. The present nominee, however, had given a good deal of time to board matters and was a decided improvement on some who had gone before him. The motion was carried. Travolllno Exponsej, Mr. E. J Scantlebury (Groymouth),.

tabled a motion allowing l>oards to cay reasonable (welling expenses to members coming from ;■ distance fo attend the nicotines. Several delegates said that such payments hnd always been made without trouble. The motion was lost. River Reflulations, Mr. L. Griffiths OVairau) moved, and n was agreed: "That application be. made Jo the Government to amend tho Ilarixjurs Act, 1908, so that any harbour (ward which has » navigable river under us jurisdiction shall have power to make l/y-laws for tlie purpose of regulating all matter!,- relating to tho protection of life and property in or on vessels, the safety ol all launches'ami vessels navigating ony navigable liver."

Control of Ferries. Jlr. C. Bagley (Auckland) moved: "That similar powers to those conferred on municipalities by Section 201! of the Municipal Corporations Act as to the establishment, purchase, and control of ferry services be granted to county council?, road boards, harbour boards, and other local authorities." It was contended that boards should havo tho power, if necessary, to control traffic on tho waters under its jurisdiction It was strange that municipalities should havo power to control ferries, mi® ' inr ' :> 9 u r boards had not that power. The remit was adopted. ' Wharf Dues. Mr. H. B. Burnett (Auckland) moved, and it was agreed: "That the Minister for .Marine he requested t.o insert in all licenses granted by the Governor-in-Coun-cil under Section 13G of the Harbours Act, 1908, or Scction 3'J of the Harbours Amendment Act, a clause providing that harbour dues shall bo paid on all goods passing over the wharvis or reclamations constructed under such licenses." Government to be Approached, It wns decided to submit tho remits of the conference and of former conferences to tho Government. Election of Officers. Mr. R. Fletcher (chairman of tho Wellington Harbour Board) was unanimously elected to the presidency of tlie assoeiat °?i! chairmen of tho Auckland, ii n ' aiu ' Otago Boards (Messrs. J. 11. Gunsoii, 1?.. Moore, and H. E. Holler) were elected vice-presidents. The chairmen of the Napier, New Plymouth, Nelson, and Timaru Boards (iiossrs. A. E. t' V Connett, H. K. Duncan, aiul L. J. Iiolleston), with Messrs. C. W. Jones anil AY. T. Hildreth, of AVcllinston were appointed an executive. Mr. A. Ct. Barnett was re-elccted secretary, and a bonus of Jil7 10s. was voted to hun for his successful work during the year. Mr. H. E, Niciioiis was elected auditor. Thanks, Azotes of thanks were passed to the Mayor, for the use of the Town Hall, to the chairman, to the Wellington Harbour Board for its hospitality, and to the press.

THE LUNCHEON. MINISTER'PROMISES REFORM. -Hio delegates to tlio congress and a large number of public citizens were eutcitaincd ,it luneneon .by the chairman and members of tlio Wellington llarbour .Loard. Mr. li. I'lcteher presided, Jlr. I? Moore (cliairman of the Lyttelf.% 1 , , lr Board) proposed the tonst of J-he I arlnimeiit of .N'cw Zealand." He thought that A'ew Zealand had a good 1 arliament, composed of men who conscienticmsly did their best' for the general e'ood ot the people.

Wave of Prosperity Coming. Dr. Newman, M.P., . responded. He contrasted the hearty manner in which the toayt had been received with tho condemnation Parliamentarians usually received from the man in tho street. (Laughter.) Parliament was anxious to see that tlie finances of the various boards were in a healthy condition. They had sent their Minister i'or Marine (Mr. I'ishcr) to Australia to arrange a reciprocal tariff. It was probable, also, that tliero would be big tariff changes in the Oni ted States, which would benefit the trade of tho Dominion. Tliero were in Europe some millions of people who ate horses and dogs. (Laughter.) As even these sources of food supply wero becoming exhausted, there would soon be a new market for our meat. Tho next threo or four years would show a great wave of prosperity in the Dominion, not due to any Loom, hut to the high prices of our exports. (Applause.) (Jur exports last year had totalled twenty-three millions, but they would be greater still in (lie next few years. The more goods that went into and out of our harbours, the better would be the finances of the harbour boards. The Government was taking an active interest in tlie welfare of tho harbour boards of tlio country. The increased revenues of tho next few years would do a great deal to assure tho finances of-the boards. Every one of them would have increased revenues. "You can go home," Dr. Newman concluded, "satisfied that my prophocies will bo fulfilled." (Laughter and applause.)

An "Immutable" Department. Mr. IV. Ferguson proposed the toast of "The Marino Department." There were two characteristics of tho Dcpartmcut, lie said, which ho had always admired— tho great courtesy of its officers, and its immutability. (Laughter.) Ho paid a tribute to the courtesy he had always experienced from the Department, mentioning especially tho present secretary (Mr. George Allport). With regard to the Department's "immutability," Mr. Ferguson said that what were burning questions thirty years ago were still burning questions to-day. One of these was, why should shipping companies which had entered into a contract with the PostmasterGeneral come out and in their ports without paying harbour dues? Tho answer was that the Department had mads up its mind, anil the Department's mind was unchangeable. Again, why could a. board not allow a man to build a boatshod 011 the water-front without the necessity of obtaining an Order-in-Council? Once more, tho only reason why Government cargo should go across their wharves without tho payment of dues was tho same "immutability" of the Department. (Laughter.)

MINISTER'S SPEECH. HINT OF CHANGES COMING. Tho Hon. F. M. B. Fisher (Minister for Marine) responded to the toast. He said that all the boards were greatly indebted to Mr> 'Allport. (Applause.) lie was pleased that the toast had been proposed by Mr. Ferguson, who had had a long experience of harbour board work, with many men, many minds, and many policies. Jle had come to hold out a ray of hope to tho conference. (Applause.) Thero might possibly be some intelligence in the present head of tho Department. (Laughter.) The representations made by the boards during tho twenty years his party had been out of power might now have some results. The prospects were rosy and bright. Tho Government had not so far announced its intentions regarding tho remits of the last conference. As a matter of fact, he had held the Harbours Bill back in order to consider theso remits, and the remits of the present conference together. He admitted that the "immutability"' of tho Department was hard to overcome. There were reasons for this "immutability" which enino of the boards might not understand. Some hoards made certain requests, ami it the Government were to comply, it would have similar requests from all tho other boards, which it could not grant. They must bear this in mind, and not attribute everything lo "immutability." Regarding (he exemption of mail steamers, tho Minister said that he could not see, and never could sec, any reason for such exemption. He hoped tho Government would do awav with this pernicious system. (Hear, hear! and a voice, "What about the Postmaster-General?") .Mr. Fisher concluded by welcoming the delegates to Wellington. He hoped their lnl<ours would bo beneficial to the Dominion. If I hey brought along their remits, the«e would be of great assistance in the drafting of the Hill which 110 was to bring before Parliament this session. (Hear, hear!)

OTHER SPEECHES. THE DEPARTMENT'S DUTY. .Mr. G. AHport (Secretin'} - of tlia Marino _Dccartmeut) also replied. He 6aid! that

lie recognised the great importance of the conference in helping the Department to carry out its duties in a proper manner. The duty of the Department was to carry out the law, and to have the law improved when necessary.. In this it was greatly aided by the recommendations of such a hody as the conference. The oilicers of the Department could not claim to have the detailed knowledge of the working of the law in certain places which was possessed by members of the local boards. They were always pleased to meet board member?, from whom they often received valuable advice. He hoped the Department wtmld merit the esteem of I he hoards in the future, a 9 it seemed to have done in the past. The Mayor of Wellington (Mr. J. l\ Lulte)^ proposed the toa*t of tho chairman. Mr. Fletcher, ho said, had possessed tho confidence of the people of Wellington for a period. Ho was a very successful chairman of tho Harbour Board. It there wero 110 such public-spirited men ? , Wol 'k the Harbour Board would not I>9 so successful. (Applause.)