The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. “Te Ora Mota Iwi.” TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 1902.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 68, 8 April 1902, Page 3

The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. “Te Ora Mota Iwi.” TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 1902.

At the meeting of the local branch / of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union, held on Saturday evening, Mr John A. Guy, of Ngatii' oti, brought under the notice members the desirability of the rate - of the Motueka Wharf Board J&rea having a direct voice in the election of members for that body. Mr Guy said he was not satisfied with the present constitution of the Board ; he had no personal objection to the members, but as they occupied the positions, by virtue of holding certain offices in the Borough and Waimea County Councils, the Government, under the Wharf Board Act, passed last session, ‘ had nominated those gentlemen as member's of the- Board.. We believe

the majority of ratepayers who have studied the position carefully will agree with Mr Guy’s contention. We have always been of opinion the control of the wharf should be in the hands of men duly elected by the ratepayers. The present representation is secured in a round about fashion, which is not at all satisfactory, as the holders of the seats must be the Mayor of the Borough of Motueka and two members of the Waimea Council They may be good men, hut there is a well-known saying that no man can serve two masters Certain sections of the ratepayers, who pay little heed to the working of the wharf and the improvement of - the port, may elect to cast their votes for a candidate who will agree to look after the wants of their district as far as roads and bridges are concerned, and to whom the port is of secondary importance ; under the present system that contingency may happen. We fail to see why the Mayor of a Borough because he happens to fill the civic chair (or a member of a County Council for that matter) should have a seat on the Wharf Board any more than any other ratepayer who may have the welfare of the district quite as much at heart, or who may have far greater interest in its progress. It is true the Mayors of Westport and other seaboard boroughs have seats on Harbor Boards ; it is also true in the ease of Nelson that the Mayor was not even nominated by the Government and if he had aspired to holding a seat he would have to be nominated like any ordinary ratepayer. Moreover, in the case of Motueka, the district has a direct interest in the Wharf, for it belongs t >them as contributors to the revenue. Therefore the time is ripe for a change in the method of representation which should be secured by the people in a direct manner, and not as at present. We are pleased Mr Guy introduced the question at a meeting of the Farmers’ Un'o.l, because that body is a representative one. comprising as it does the bo> e and sinew of the district— : farm ers and fruit growers, to whom the intelligent and successful management of the wharf is of vital importance. We are sure the question will be thoroughly 7 discussed at the special meeting to be held and we are in hopes a resolution will be unanimously carried approving of Mr Guy’s suggestion. As to whether the Board shall be composed of five or seven members is a matter old etail. Now 7 'is the time for united action in order to seeuie direct representation by the ratepayers-and to do away 7 with the present unsatisfactory state of affairs. We have nothing to sav against the personnel of the present Board, which must necessarily •be changed during the next six months; we are objecting to the election of the members through any other channel than what we consider the most fair and satisfactory one. It is well-known the Act under which the Board was brought into existence was rushed through the House in a hasty manner ; the people are thankful that Mr McKenzie did his best for us and we feel sure he will be pleased to take charge of an Amending Bill to give ani increa-

sed number of members, straight out voting for candidates, and also to make the corporation a Harbor Board, doing away with the present hy r brid concern.