Harbour Board Conference.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 78956, 11 August 1905, Page 2

Harbour Board Conference.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 10. The Harbour Boards Conference -passed a remit from Greymouth "Th|it wharfage and harbour dues be paid on goods belonging to the Goveiwhient or Government officials, or (i» the alternative) on goods owned by tho Government but in'tendod for sale." < It wps agreed Uiat land covered by tidal waters within the limits of harbours, and not otherwise owned or alienated,, should bo vostc* in, Arbour boards. Thej Thames delegates submitted thq following ftanib "That a determined staipd be taken against tho proposal to elect'members of harbour boards by popular franohise." • Mr Laurenson said he thought it was hardly necessary to passi tin resolution.- Stole drastic change was necessary, in the method of appointing members of hhrbour boards. Different systems operated in different districts. He had no doubt members of boards would not offer the* slightest objection to election by th; popular franchise, and he believed that a proportion of rtinoteen out of twfcnty sitting momjbera would be returned under that principle. Mr Fenguson thought some determination should be arrived at os to whot'ier delegates approved of what ho might term tha substitution ol boards. Mr Heauchamp considered tho conference should ente:' a protest against -my proposal to elect harbour bloarda on tie popular franchise, and should rc-aflirro the schedule <of representation agreed upon by the last conferonce.

lion. Jas. Carroll was of opinion that no resolution on subject was neressary, aa the association had piready dealt with tho, subject, and there was not any immediate oqcasion to reiterate views which had already 'been put forth.

After a nuKfber of delegates iiuld ■expressed their, disapproval of election by the popular franchise, and a minority had approved of the principle, tho discussion drifted l Into a general demand Tor, a morp uniform and satr isfnetory method. of appointment limn the present system of nomination.

Mr Beauchamp moved a n amendment embodying his previous suggestions. He said that 1 so far as tho Wellington Harbour Board w tt s concorned, members nominated by tho County Council had proved in many instances the very best members they hod. Finally Mr Allison altered tho re* mit in the idirectioiv.of protesting against any proposal to elect members of harbour boards, on the popul'at franchise, Mr lleauchamp said he would not press bis amendment. Dolega tes. -attending tHe conference were entcrtainod at Binraer to-night.