THE LOCAL PORT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1204, 5 February 1914, Page 4

THE LOCAL PORT.

PRESS CRITICISMS,

(Manavvatu Standard)

The protracted agitation tor the improvement of the position of the Foxton Harbour Board reached another stage yesterday, when the whole matter was discussed with the Minister for Marine, the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher. The Minister certainly appeared to view the Board’s situation in a more favourable manner than other Ministers have done, but we do not suppose anything will be done until the large district affected gives expression to its views in a very definite manner. At present the Railway Department demands a large sum —something over 000 —for the wharf, which is worth at the outside scarcely as many hundreds. It says the revenue it receives justifies it in asking for that amount, but at the same time it refuses to do anything to improve the river mouth or to make it reasonably safe for shipping that serves a very wide dlstiict. Various speakers yesterday, including Mr Bulck, M.P., blamed the Department for this unjust attitude towards the port of Foxton. In our opinion—and in the opinion of a great many of those interested in the matter —it is not the Department, but the Minister for Railways, who must be blamed for the continuance of the policy of thwarting the legitimate claims of Foxton and this district to reasonable harbour facilities. It was expected that Mr Herries, upon hfs accession to office, would deal fairly and justly with the question, and would bring about an improvement in the .financial position of the Harbour Bard. The hopes of obtaining justice under the new regime were not realised, however, for Mr Herries has proved just as obstinate over the matter as his predecessor, Mr Millar. He persists in accepting the Departmental view of the matter, when a little sincere investigation would have shown him how unbusinesslike and unfair that attitude is. W have no hesitation in saying that is a strong feel'ng of di's appointment in the district at tne failure of the Minister for P

ways to consider the Harooci Board’s rightful claims. As was stated yesterday, the Minister for Marine seems to ha. e grappled with this question in earnest, a.:d consequently car see that the Board is entitled to a deal better treatment than it has received, and that would certainly be the opinion of anyone who went irate ihe question without prejudi • . -V M; Jstcr said the Hon. Mr Herries would visit Fox tou shortly, aud if he doer, we trust he will take as much interest in the matter as his colleague has done. Buxton ar.d the distiict should certainly seize the opportunity of expressing its opinions very strongly on that occasion.

(Manawatu Times). This district is very greatly interested in the improvement of the Port of Foxton, and under present conditions improvement is impossible, because of lack of funds. When the Government provided for the constitution of the Foxton Harbour Board, it omitted the most important provision—that of giving this body some source of revenue. Every other Harbour Board in this country has received endowment in some shape or form, and has therefore been able to carry out its work with more or less success. For instance, the Wanganui Harbour Board, thanks to the late Mr John Ballance, was provided with certain privileges, including an endowment at Pohaugina—in the very district in which residents are chiefly interested in the unendowed Harbour Board of Foxton, If the Ministry cannot provide Foxton with a suitable endowment of land, or supply direct financial assistance, then it should assuredly, and without delay, at least hand over to the Board the Foxton wharf, from which possibly sufficient revenue would be obtainable. Our public men in the large distiict concerned in the improvement ot Foxton Port should unite in a determined effort to secure the wharf or some other suitable endowment and should not relax their efforts until success has been attained. When Pharoah of old the poor Israelites told They must fashion their bricks without straw, He did but perfigure the merciless rigour Of our Parliamentary law Which gave Foxton a Board, but provided no hoard. From the Ministry no aid could be wrung ; With parsimony petty they refused e’en the jetty, And said that the town could “go bung !” In days long departed this district had parted With land in its midst to another. But the Foxton Board started with members sad hearted As orphans who mourn for a mother. Shall Palmerston rest, and not do its best To secure for its Port some estate Like that able freelance, the late Hon. John Ballance, Obtained to avoid a high rate ? Wanganui elate, now escapes with light rate, Because of a generous giver. Why should Foxton be left of money bereft, And no means to improve her fine river ? Why should Foxton not strain every effor to gain The wharf which now serves her harbour ? Don’t go on your knees, but see to it, please, Messrs Henuessy, Nash, and Barber. —Jeff Quoin*