The Daily News TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1903. NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 28, 3 February 1903, Page 2

The Daily News TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1903. NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR.

It is wry gratifying to notice from the rtport of the meeting of the Eltham Farmers'. Union that an intelligent interest is being taken in tha New Plymouth harbour at tbe south end of the district. In tho ptst the atti ude of tho people there was s'olid opposition to the harbour and everything connected with i* *£be recognition of the Fp-*- '■>'"«* toe harbour should be made capable of receiving ocsan-going steamers, and the absurdity of continuing to pay the present heavy coastal rataa to Wellington is a great advance, and will disarm oppositisn to the re djustmeat of representation when the proper time comes. The unfairnsss in this respect is not quite as represented, because nearly all tte revenue, from other eources than rates, arises from tho northern end of the district, so that tha disproportion is not &■> great as that stated. The allosation of the representation on a ratepaying basis is not altogether sitisfac ory, as the membirs really have no say in the disposal of the rates, which are all pledged for interest on tha loan. There is a growing feeling that the wholesyetem of representation should be recast, and that importers and exporters should have direct representation on the Board, as is the casj in .Auckland, and indeed in most othar places. Then the idea has been put forward that tbe shipping companies should be 'represented, and tha ratepayers reprtsanled through their local ! bodies instead of by davci vote. Fur ourselves, we prefer the direst vote. It [may b<> said, however, that once town and country residents realise the necessity and advisability of uniting to push on the improvement of the harbour, it matters little from what portion of the district tbe members of the Board come. Indeed, tbe progressive farmer will receive a very hearty welcome from the peop'o of New Plymouth, and his assistance in providing accommodation for ccean-going steamers at th 9 breakwater will be gratefully accepted. As soon as the country ratepayer waken up to tha advantages of direct steamers working the port, the pressure for harbour improvement will come from the country, and, if we are not mistaken in tho sign of the times, wo shall not have loDg to wait for that.