HARBOR RATE EXTINCTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 51, 19 February 1908, Page 3

HARBOR RATE EXTINCTION.

| THE XEW LOAX PROPOSALS. j DISCUSSED BY THE HOARD. j (Continued from page 4). : In the ■ i Fit ft Kill there »iw tin ■-c | -clo-dubs, I. -j. mid :f. In the lir-t di--j tricl lYVair.iu. l'aiilutu, and Wailara. ! -ilivev di-lrict.-i the rale lo provide | inte.e-t wa- lix.-.l .it - : , din the |..niiil: in X... 1 di-iri.t u.ne Kgni-.m. Iluiroi. . j ami Xgaire sitivey di-lri.-t-i. of K.,\ m .' the iHjuiid: X.i. :! di-trict lOpun.ik.-. ! '>•-. ami Kmip.koiiui!. < j.l in llie poilmL On i!„. nii.tion of Mr. Ma\well. pari | nf I lie Ngaire Mikli\i-ii>ii i loin Nor-

m.iiil.v i..wn-hip t-. ih,. liird road wu-. thrown into the third setiednie. AMENDMENTS. The Board discu,-id the ilau- - '■ -criatim. I At ilall-c !l, it w.l* deeideil to HOI if,, ratepayers' meetings in at least six drti ict new-paper-. At clause IU. it ivn, decided that 'if at tile place and within one hour after the time appointed tor any such meeting not more than six ratepayers arc present, such meeting shall for the pul- - ui this Aei lie deemed lo*)iavc liecii duly Mil and the proposal to luuc been duly discussed and eonsidered and the notifieatiou of the poll duly made. The draft Jiill provided for two persons. Clati-s- II was amended, npjn the surest ion of Mr. Thomson, who opposed the 'one man one vote" principle. It wa- decided to adopt the suffrage u-od in county election*: Where rated on up to CIOOO worth of property, one j vote: up to .C2OOO, two votes: and'ovei j that amount, three votes and no more.

sit clause 14, providing for a bare majority poll, Mr. Maxwell stipulated that there must be a three-tiftlis majority. The country ratepayers, he said, were accustomed to tliree-lifths majorities in dealing with all their spceiil loans. Of course, Parliament as at present constituted favored absolute majority, and the UUborne Harbor Bill, the I most recent enactment in connection with liarlwr loan-, provided for it. But he wa* sure that oticb a proposal would only put up the backs of the farmers against the Bill. There must be no .ittempt to curtail the recognised rights, and at the same time they must safeguard the interests of the country ratepayers.

The clause was amended accordingly. At clause IU, subsection 3, which prjvides for tne reintroduction of the scheme alter the expiration of twelve calendar months, =hould it be rejected at the first poll, it was decided to insert a proviso that the Board could dir-tct that fresh poll be taken ou only two subsequent occasions.

Considerable discussion took place regarding clause 21, which gave power lo levy differential dues, charging the larger amounts upon goods produced or manufactured outside the harbor district.

Mj. Tbunison asked, "is that a smack at Waitara:"

ilr. King said k wan not. Waitata would be treated just the same as any other outside district. But VVaitara had been cutting herself adrift, and NewPlymouth would assist by severing the last few- strands. The provision was included in the (jisborne Bill, and the principle had been discussed at the Harbors Conference.

The chairman said that the clause was merely permissive, not mandatory. -Mr. McLean said that the operation of such a clause would effectually restrict business coming from South Taranaki.

Mr. Hine didn't like the clause as it stood, and doubted whether it could he put into operation, even if passed. He did not look on it as a bit at Waitara, for the Bill provided a higher and uniform rate for all outside districts. The inclusion of the clause would merely foster the opposition of other ports. lie remarked that it was practically compulsory to ship butter and cheese through- New Plymouth, at it was :'.

grading port. Were there freedom of | trade in this respect he would not oppose the clause. Mr. Price thought it as well to retain the clause, though he might vote against putting it into operation. ilr. Maxwell said that the Hon. J. A. .Millar, Minister of Marine, had suggested the inclusion of such a provision in the new Harbors Act, but the Conference rejected that. He thought the principle would be right in the general Act. buv \va- wrong in local Acts such a, this.

Mr. Hughes said that the present rate bad lieen levied on South Taranaki when the people there could not say "yea" or "nay." Now that they had a voice he could not «iy how it would i.e exercised. The promoters of the Bill prophesied a big future for the Lirbor, and if those visions materialised it was going to lie a good thing for Taranaki a* a whole, .ind he thought the di-tri-t outride the harljor should "pay i f ? w hack."

Mr. Price moved to retain the <-|an;c Mr. Hughes seconding.

Mr. Hine moved as ail amendment that the excess rates be not charged in respect of such goods as are compelled by law to be graded for export. Mr. Maxwell seconded.

The amendment was carried on a division. Ayes: Messrs. Ward. McLean, Thompson, Hine. and Maxwell. Xoes: MessTs. King. Price, Hughes, and Con neit.

The amendment, put as a motion, was carried.

Mr. King introduced a proposal, not as a portion of the Bill, to include Opunake in the rating aTea on the understanding that £IO,OOO gbould be paid to the controlling authority at Opunake for the erection of a wharf. He thought that this would prove advantageous to both New Plymouth and Opunake.

Mr. Maxwell wished it to be cleariy understood that he had absolutely no connection with this proposal. He had had many discussions with Mr. King concerning the terms of the Bill, and it could easily be imagined that this was a son to Opunake. "I wish it to be clearly and absolutely understood that this proposal has not emanated from me." he said. Mr. King had informed hiin that he was going to bring it forward at the rcquc-t of some of his corre-poadenl-. arid the idea »a< fir.H mooted a couple of v.-.ir- ago. Opunake .11..1 Waitar.i bad Ni.-d to get out of tlii- h-n-l-r di-tii.-i. and Waitara smeecled. So Opuniko people tliotlg'lt tlo-ir Harbor Di-tri.-l Bill h;td a good chan?e of pacing, too. Should Opunake people agree to lie included in this newarea, it would effectually tie them up and prevent severance: thi- €IO,OOO looked like a sort of quid pro 0,113. It might be a good thing for Opunake. but ! the suggestion was open ♦" mwonstrucI tion. " "

Mr. Kiii'jr affirmed that Mr. Maxwell 1-...1 bad nothing t" d.. -.villi the introdn -lion of thi- propo-al. Mr. I'ri.c move,! i1,.,t t;. c Boa id aCi de to the propo-ilioll.

Mr. Hughe thought that if (ipuna!;e w.>- to get thi- amount South Taranaki might as well put in a claim ior -oinc reljef from the toll-gates. i Mr. Mcl>an strongly opposed tic | idea, holding that thty were not there to borrow for Opnnake. Mr. Thomson «aid that his mind this w,i- but a compromise with Opuuake. Whit right had they to sit there ami vote money for (Ipunake? People there sc„,ic,l very well able to look aft-r themselves, and it was presumptions on the part of the Board to make such Of mires. Mr. Hine i-ai<l there was an element of justice in the proposal, for the Board in adopting it would recognise the right of (Ipunake to e\i-t as a |*irt. The chairman said there was no int mi ion to force the thing down the throats nf the memlier*. ! Mr. Price con-idered it would be to | > a |>|y mh\s advantage to belter ! e..-iip iijiunake a- a feeler for the po/t lot V,.« Phi tb.

.\s the hoard w.is no) unanimous, the ! »-:.< *a- dropped. Mr. Maxwell r<'ii. irking that he wa- sorry for Opunak.'. 1...1 »lad on hi, own and New PK- , n 'iitli'. account. J At clause 'it. repealing the second - 'o-diile ~f the original Ordinance. Mr. Thoin-on moved that the Waita'a ; 1!;..u.,- liistrict remain liable for rnt-s it.-til the mM loan had Im>-ii cxtingulshH. 1 It- »-,,- unable to tmdc-taiid the move a- all. Waitara never expressed a •!>•- -I ■ to e-. ape thi- liability. \l.-. Kills': It'- cheaper lor us. ! Mr. Md-ean -ennnlcd. -| don't see ..in- they should get out of it if we .iie ke.-p thorn in. -- I1:e chairman -aid he had fore?P"ii ' thi- difficulty "hen he opposed the TVaifar.t Harbor Hill. 1» wasn't -<> inn-1, j tb- loss of the di-trict a-- the rnmpliei- ! tions which irnsf ari-e in anv fiilure j Lonowiier either at New Plymouth of | Waitara for harbor purposes. To retain the Wailara. liability would mean 'he

introduction of a system of first ami second Hills nml lirst mill second mortgagl's. Besides, it would SCIVC to sWCCIen I lie relations between New Plymouth mill Wailnm. The principal reason lor relieving the Waitara district, howi v.-r, »a~ that it vv.iiil.l save ,-m>ch.-c mid iriiiti>> to the New I'iynioiiih Ilar'ijr

Mr. Ihoiu-on said the lc-l of Ihe Hoard -ecuied to have made up its mind to have .i loan, "lie li.nl I'.ot. Tli • motion w.i- 10-l hy ,i\ nit,.. ;„ three.

Mr. Thomson then gave notice to an.ve m next meet in;,' thai the Hoard r.ii-e ii loan of CI 35.000 or r.Un.lKid. merely for llie vcileiiiplimi .n' the \>n-

-.iii loan. Mr. McLean .-aid l.e «as morally Loiinil to o)ipo-e any loan prnpos-.il which would increase the disabilities of i the ratepayers, lie mid Mr. Maxwell, ! with others, bad ul various times fought i loan -cheines. hut he believed tint the i adoption of this pro-em idea would put | ratepayer-, in a better position than ! they could ever lie without borrowing. I He did not pledge himself to raipport the Hill, hut lie wa- willing to submit II fairlv to the ratepayer-. Jle icgrctlcd [ that'he -could „ot be here for the tight, j a- he ini-nded leaving on a trip to the j Old Country shortly, and wi-hed now to hand in bis resignation. Mr. Max,vell said lie would like !o state h'< positiim. lie hud <-oii-istent'y opposed, for the lit'ieen years, tie- | placing of any further burden on llie | ratepayer-. If tin's Hill had been likely I 'o inerea-e or perpetuate their burden !«• would have fought it tooth and nail. lie had, in opposing a. previous BUI, -tateil that if a measure were framed I

that would treat the settlers fairly, and that would put the bulk of the burden ..ii the districts reaping the greatest advantage, he would favor it. The Bills in the past had been unfair. He hid fought tlieni and had won the Jtiy. But in dealing with a fair measure like thio his attitude was quite different. The present Bill deserved different treatment. II had been hinted that there had been negotiations concerning this

draft Bill. That was so, and the vital points for which the country members had striven were included in the measure. Under the present measure the harbor and the Harbor Board contributed not a single halfpenny towardis the payment of interest—the burden was wholly on the ratepayers. There was nothing to warrant the assumption that any Harbor Board ever would unless forced to do so. In this Bill tinBoard was tied down to contribute C 4500 from land fund. 12000 from endowments, and .14300 a lirst charge on revenue. These could be depended upo u as reliable uources of income. This gave an interest payment of €II,OOO without

tlic ratepayers being called upon. Taking the full 01(1,000, the interest and <-i«t ot' collection would be <: 12.300 per annum, and the utmo-t tn which the ratepayers could lie made to- produce was CI3OO. Under existing eomliliois the property ill the New Plymouth harbor district was legally liable to a perpetual mortgage of %d in the pound, a *evel liability over the whole district. If this Hill were passed, a differential rate would l>e levied, the district near the harbor being liable for %d as now, the more remote districts for Vid instead of %d. and the whole of the balance of the district would be liable for only !/,,l rate. That was. of course, if tlii! rate were all required. But ou'y CI4OO would be required, and in the

third district the rate would practiiallv expire, so infinitesimal would be the amounts to be collected. With the Hoaul contributing to the interest as fixed by law, it would 1« necessary for the three districts to pay only 3-32nds of a peiinv. 1-llith of a penny, and l-.'J'nd of a penny respectively. The passing of this Bill would place the whole of the ratepayers on a much lietter footing than ever before—''and that from a "man who has consistently opposed all schemes to put a burden on the ratepayers," he emphasised. Xo intelligent man could dispute tluit. The ratepayers, by this Bill, were passing over their liability from their shoulders to those of the' Board, lie had been, and would be, accused of "lurning tail," but under these condi-

tions he would "turn tail" or 'turn turtle" every time. He was under a moral pledge to conserve the rights of the ratepayers and to prevent any furIher burden lieing put on their shoulders. This Rill did absolutely the best tiling that could l>e done for them.. Hut In- warned the Xew Plymouth members that they must not advance any alluring statements about making ' this a port for ocean-going boats. He was opposed to that idea. But from a financial point of view he supported the Bill. The money should \te. spent in general improvements, and he did not think <i could be spent without twine good result accruing. He intended to recommend the ratepayers to support the Hi'], and his vote would be governed by their decision.

Mr. Hughes referred to the Bill as "Messrs. Maxwell and Kind's Bill," ami suiii it hail good points, but lie thought it would bo hard to convince "some if those Manaia fellows.'' Mr. Thomson said Wlr. Maxwell's change of (rout appals me." He could not understand why Mr. Maxwell hid forgotten his prediction that Mr. Marchant's wall would topple over. He did nut consider the Board had been given sufficient information as to the expenditure of the money. Mr. King remarked that Mr. Marchant's plans were on the table. Mr. Thomson was not satisfied. He wanted to know if the port was going to accommodate Home boats for direct shipment of dairy produce. If not. where was the use of a loan? I.'pnn the motion of Messrs. Maxwell and Price, it was decided that the Bill a- amended should be placed before meetings of ratepayers, the Board to V:ir the expense. Mr. Thomson opposed.