Harbor Boards' Conference

Hokitika Guardian, 20 October 1921, Page 3

Harbor Boards' Conference

[BY TKLKtiHArn —I’Elt I’ItESS ASSOCIATION’] WELLINGTON, October 19. The. Confclrence ,of the llarhoitrs’ Association of New Zealand is being held to-day, Mr J. (J. Harkliess presiding. About If) delegates are present from dilfemtt harblour Iniards. In moving the .'idoptiuti of the annual report, Mr Hark ness hoped pressure would be brought to hear on the Government to have the necessary amendments made to the llarbours Act, which might have it beneficial effect oti the whole of the Dominion, The times were strenuous, the effects of the war remained, and they had to filed the position with true courage. As harbour boards they had had no Icgslation since 1910: for this reason th" v wanted necessary amendments. The Minister 'of Marine attended the conference. He said that it was hopeless to encourage the belief that l’nrliainent would have time this session to make alterations in tho Acts affecting hnrhnur hoards. Tt was proposed j instead to consolidate the existing Acts during the recess and next s-’s-sion to present a Bill covering the whole position, with the adoption cf ( ns many remits and amendments as Parliament should deem fit. j WELLINGTON, October 1!'. j

Before the Harbour Boards Conlergnee, after Mr Hark ness (I’resident said the Boards had an important problem to solve, the Minister of Marino (isir Efalicis B('ll) said it was hopeless to encourage a belief that I’nrlamout would have time this session to make nit alteration in the Acts affect mg Harbour Roiyids. It was proposed, instead, to consolidate the existing Acts during the ivces-. and next session to present a Bill covering the whole position, with the adoption of as malty remits and amendments as Parliament should deem (it. Tlm Minister then handed in a lisl of remits to which the Government had assented. To many, he said, the Government had not assented, such as tint lt>r the .rating of Government property ill harbour hoard areas. The Government welcomed the advance and assistance nf such a hotly as the Harbours Association, as they did with other local hollies. Nothing was more important than that the Government should abstain from interference with these local hollies, to which it had given the powers of local control. As to additional powers, a conflict might arise Neither the Government nor* the Harbour Conference, he said, would he worth while if differences did not arise'.. The Government had taken, and would take into earnest roilsideration the results of the deliberations of the Conference. Various remits were then considered.