The Chronicle. PUBLISHED DAILY SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1911. WELLINGTON HARBOUR BOARD ELECTION.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 15 April 1911, Page 2

The Chronicle. PUBLISHED DAILY SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1911. WELLINGTON HARBOUR BOARD ELECTION.

A deal of adverse comment lias been made throughout tills island regarding the new method of electing Harbour .Board representatives. It will •be remembered that very recently the Horowhenua County Council resolved to take no part in the election ; this decision being avowedly intended as an official protest against the cumbersome and expensive machinery adopted for purposes of this year's election, in conformity with the new Act. From that protest tin's newspaper is inclined to differ. In the first place, it should be said that the majority of the council's protesters misapprehended the position. The council is not being called upon to bear the cost of the election; and, secondly, it seems to us that the new machinery for elections gives to the country settlers and the dwellers in nip-country towns and hamlets a greater voice in.the management of harbour affairs than was vouchsafed to them under former conditions. We are afraid that the aloofness resolved upon by a. majority of the members of the Horowhenua County Council will be reflected by the attitudes of a great many people; but none the less Ave would urge upon all our readers the advisableness of registering their votes at these elections. In Levin and (Shannon, a certain amount of local importance attaches to representation 011 the Foxton Harbour Board, and 110 doubt the people of these two towns will evince au intelligent interest in this aspect of the election; but, after all, primary importance attaches to the election of two members to represent the Horowhenua County, and its neighbouring counties, 011 the Wellington Harbour Board. This county should take a most lively part in the matter, for to everyone who possesses landed or business interests in the county it is of supreme importance that nothing retrograde or repressive of development should be allowed in the administrative policy of Wellington Harbour. The wise foresight and the fostering "care which have been prominent in Wellington Harbour Board administration for the past two decades should be persevered in ; and to help towards that object the electors should elect progressive men as their Harbour .Board representatives. Without unduly labouring the point- we would indicate as our own choice the two Palmerstonian candidates: Messrs Cohen and H. S. Abraham. Mr Cohen has been a member of the Wellington Harbour Board for some years, and his judgment on essential matters for progress has been characterised by soundness on some outstanding occasions of differences at the board. Added to this quality, lie has shown a commendable assiduity in ibis attention to board business, as well as a disposition to view large questions,, of policy from an impersonal standpoint. As to 'Mr Abraham, we hail with, satisfaction his candidature. 'He is a gentleman intimately acquainted with the farming and pastoral industry — a profession which, on tin's particular board, has been without special representation in the past—and we feel sure that the requirements and needs of the men upon the land will he well watched and guarded if Mr Abraham is sent to the board as a representative of these parts. Regarding the third candidate (Mr Cobbe, of Foilding) we can say nothing averse. He is a gentleman desirous of serving his fellows on a public body which makes exacting claims on one's time and offers no recompenses. From this aspect of the case, it becomes evident that the people ought to congratulate themselves on an evincing of public spiritedness which ■has resulted in throe admirable candidates coming forward to contest two vacancies of this kind. Mr Co'bbo, however, though an estimable business man, would make one more representative of an avenue of business which already is well represented on the Wellington Harbour Board. That he would prove to be a good member, we doubt not; but we must repeat that as between the two new men our predilection is toward Mr Abraham, who would go into • the board 1 as, an avowedi and well-proved friend of the .. primary producers, .whose interests should be paramount in -some- cases • wherein . fchey; have/ been regatdpd as. subsidtfaiy, so far as the board has been concerned. :