HARBOR BOARD CONSTITUTION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10061, 1 February 1909, Page 1

HARBOR BOARD CONSTITUTION.

(Per Pukss Association'.) Auckland. January 31. An important deputation of representtives of the New Zealand Shipowners' Federation waited upon the Minister for Marine (Hon. .L A. Millar) yesterday. Mr E. Ford said one of the most important questions was that of Harbor Board representation. The shipowners felt very keenly the fact that they had practically no voice in the administration of affairs -connected with the harbor. They were quite swamped as the result of the present constitution of the board. Large companies with a number of boats have no more voting power than the_aguil paying dues to the extent of £3. lie hoped that when the new Act was introduced next session there would be provision for giving better representation to the shipowner®. Mr Hanson referred to the risk ot lire on vessels lying at the wharves, and mentioned recent outbreaks on the Xgapuhi and Waimarie. He thought it unjust, that having so much at stake they had not more than one vote. A company like the Northern Steamship Company, with between 30 and 40 vessels, had no more voting power than the man who paid £3 in dues.

Captain J. E. Bradley said that on a harbor board it was only fair to expect the marine interests to have fair representation, but in the case of the Auckland Harbor Hoard the shipowners had scarcely any voice at all. A board mainly comprised of merchants could not be expected to possess the necessary knowledge ot marine matters, lie understood it was tiie intention of Parliament next session to make some ameudment giving throe or four direct representatives of the shipowners.

The Hon. Mr Millar said a strong case had been made out for better representation on the Harbor Board. The difficulty was to make any hard and fast rule, for, wliile in Auckland the shipowners wauled representation, in a place like New Plymouth there would be no owners asking for representation on that board. If the thing was to be worked equitably, the only way out of the difficulty would be to make special provision in the schedule of the new act for boards such as those at Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, Napier and Dunedin, where special representation was desired. Referring to the question of legislation for oil launches, the Minister said, he was going to bring in regulations to deal with them, and they would all be brought within the reach of the act, special permits being allowed to settlers and owners of pleasure cralt.