Harbor Boards’ Conference

Hokitika Guardian, 22 October 1921, Page 2

Harbor Boards’ Conference

[BY TET.EcfttAPH PER PRESS ASSOCIATION'] WELLINGTON, Oct. 20. At the Harbour Board’s Conference, it was resolved to request that power should he given to receive money on deposit and pay interest thereon. Mr H. Everett secured passage of a remit extending to Harbour Boards with the Minister’s consent power t<> raise additional loans for the renewal of works impaired by flood, fire or other mischance.

A recommendation from New Plymouth that Boards be enabled to purchase their own debentures with sinking funds available was adopted, after a brief discussion. The following remit by Mr A. E. Jut! (Napier) was adopted: That tations be made to the. Minister, of Finance to convene as dhrly as possible a conference of all local applying for loans of say, over £IO,OOO with the idea of discussing the! question of the financial requirements of such bodies, sav for 1 the next- twelve months, as arrangements might he come to which woidd reduce the call upon the public moneys at the present time. I An amendment to the Trustee Act to authorise the investment of trust [ moneys in Harbour Board loans was | sought in a remit tabled by Mr F. Horrell (Lyttelton), and the Conferlenco adopted it. The desirability of investing loan moneys in the same manner as a HariKHir Board’s sinking funds can now be invested was the effect of a WelIlington remit. The chairman suggested that the Con ference should adopt the Government’s j suggestion that power he given to Boards to deposit any moneys at the credit of its general or special loan account at fixed deposit with a*v legally authorised local authority. The Conference was not in favour of the Government’s suggestion and the Wellington remit was agreed to. A Napier remit making the amount of debentures unlimited was agreed to. Other remits were adopted as fol- , lows:—

That Harbour Boards he allowed to collect dues on the increased tonnage caused by vessels carrying deck cargo. That vessels putting into port in distress or for water, he exempt from harbour dues, except where they take in cargo. That Board’s l>e empowered to make charges for use of cattle and stock yards. That the manifest he pripie facie evidence in assessing harbour dues. That pilotage exemption certificates he granted to vessels constructed in a port or leaving it. That the Government he recommended to pay full market value for all land resumed by it from Harbour Boards. That foreshores he vested in Harbour Boards. That trawlers, fishing vessels and whalers he exempt from dues. That vessels belonging to the Government or to British possessions engaged in commercial trading should pay harbour dues.

That mail steamers should be exempt from harbour dues. That pilots must be British subjects. Several speakers addressed the Conference on the debenture tax in its relation to Harbour Board finance. The remits were merged into one, urging amending legislation.' The Conference approved the issue of inscribed stock. After sonie discussion as to the compilation of port statistics, Mr Bennett moved the following resolution, which was carried on the voices; “That as the statistical returns ndw published in the Official Year ißook as to exports and imports are not correct and sufficient, the Government he asked to amend and enlarge the same in the direction of showing seperately (a) District productivity; (b) Trade within and beyond the Dominion and (e) Port statistics both for goods and vessels.