WESTPORT HARBOUR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2767, 10 May 1916, Page 6

WESTPORT HARBOUR

r ~ ■* ' . WHO SHOULD CONTROL IT ? "' DEPUTATION TO MINISTERS A-.deputation consisting of Messrs. A. Leaver (Mayor-of Westport), G. Powell (member ol Buller County Council), and A. A. Wilson (chairmanof Buller County Council) waited, upon the Prime Minister, Sir.Joseph Ward (Minister of Finance), and Dr. M'Nab (Minister of Marine) last night for the purpose 'of protesting against-the proposal of the Government to .take- over control of the Westport Harbour. The deputation was introduced by Mr. J. Colvin, M.P. The. speakers urged that it would be a retrograde step for the Government to take over the harbour, aud | urged that local control should be retained. It was stated that improve-ment-works had already been initiated, and that if ;the present control was maintained matters were likely, to go' on satisfactorily. . .

Mr. Masscy asked whether tho Harbour Board could supply more coal than at present? ' - i , Mr. Leaver: Yes, but it is a question of men. Mr.- Massey: Ah, I asked if-you-could supply more coal.. The deputation expressed a belief that the Government's action was due to representations from certain parties in the district, and said that residents of all shades of political views were almost unanimous in desiring that, the Harbour Board's control should be rctainea. The Prime Minister; in replying, pointed out: that ,the Westport Harbour was in quite a different position from other harbours. It was not merely a local matter; it was one. in'. which the whole of New 'Zealand was interested. In fact, ,ho would go further," and say that it was a matter of. Imperial concern. They had to look to Westport for their, best coal, and for a great deal of the coal that was renuired. Tho Admiralty looked to Westport for 100,000 tons of coal per annum. The decision of the Government was really arrived, at in the in. terests of. Westport itself: Tho improve, meat-works ..''ware, not going to stop, as the whole success of the harbour and district of Westport depended upon the harbour being made available for deep-water ships. Westport 'was bound to become a very.important port, as it was practically the coal port in New Zealand. Cabinet had already given its decision on the mutter, wnd Cabinet alone could alter it. His colleagues and,.himself would have much' pleasure in placing their representations before Cabinet, but he asked them not to run away with the idea that the ..improvement, works were going to stop if the Government assumed control. On the contrary, they were more likely to be expedited.

Sir. Joseph Ward said that he wished to make it clear that the decision cf the Cabinet had not been arrived at in consequence of any representations from ppople in the district. Mr. Massey and-. Dr. M'Nab endorsed this statement. Sir Joseph Ward said that, as tho Prime Minister had stated, the matter was ono of Imperial concern. As to the question of the revenue, if the Government took over the control of the •larbour It could not allow theso moneys to be taken by tho Railway Department or any other Department. Tho nici:oys must be earmarked for tho use of the harbour and for tho repayment of tho existing Joan. Tho interests of the harbour and district would not bo prejudiced in any. way. Mr. Powell said that he was glad to have the assurance that tho Government's' action was not due to any local re-pic-sontations, and also tho assurance thai tho revenue would be earmarked fcr liar bour purposes. Sir Joseph Ward (emphatically): That must be. Wo cannot allow the harbour revenue to bo used for railway purposes. No Government could do that. Dr. M'Nab: Thero is not a suggestion on the files that the "Railway Impart ment should take over the control of the harbour, except the Cabinet minute.