HARBOR BOARDS BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 14 August 1907, Page 2

HARBOR BOARDS BILL.

A DUNEDIN MANIFESTO.' Per Press Association. Dunedin, August 13. The local Chamber of Cotnmerco is forwarding a manifesto to Parliament dealing with the proposed Harbor Bill, and have telegraphed to the Premier and tho Dunedin representatives urging that the passage of the Bill be delayed until the same has been received. The manifesto approves the representation of the country districts on the Otago Harbor Board, and considers that four members, instead of three as proposed, are necessary to adequately represent the districts, which include Central Otago counties, and from Clutha on the south to Waihemo county on thejaorth. It approves the representation TM Chalmers electorate by three members, three Dunedin suburbs by one mombor, and Dunedin and St. ICilda by three, and the payers of dues by one member, provided that general commercial interests (are also represented by a member elected by the Chamber of Commerce. Further, the Chamber submits that the re-

presentation proposed to be given to country districts to a large extent does away with the "need for Government nominees on the Otago Board, and that instead of four Government nominees, two should now suffice. It expresses disapproval of the proposed general withdrawal from Chambers of Com-

merce of the right to-elect a member of their respective local boards, as local

Chambers consist of those most directly and personally engaged in the trade of the ports. The manifesto also disapproves of the proposal to elect the harbor Board representatives of Dunedin City suburbs or country districts on an electoral basis, on account of the very considerable expense involved in such a course, and it continues: in particular we disapprove of putting the Harbor Board in a worse position' l in this respect than seems to be intended in other districts. We submit that there ought to be uniformity of method as regards these appointments, and, further, that the various City Councils, Borough Councils, and County Councils being indirectly chosen by the electors, conistitute suitable electoral colleges, capable of choosing proper representatives to sit on Harbor Boards.