HARBOR BOARDS CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 August 1918, Page 5

HARBOR BOARDS CONFERENCE.

'By Telegraph—Press jLssociaSfiS& '* Wellington, Jtfry ml I The conference- of harbope, "bowda May •opened;

, Me. Wilted, Min&ter of tail address, said that (the question $E the inspection of all gear belonging to harbor boards was an important one. In his opinion, such inspection shonß be made by qualified Government experts. He considered that the dmtea < of gear should not be the inspectors <£ that gear, Clearly, it would be mosfe i satisfactory, 'both to such ownera«nd Sol the men working with euch gear, ttet there should ibe independent inspeaifori i'"by Government inspectors. Mr. WUford said that at presenf hi. jwas considering the question of mending legislation dealing with the Inspection of products imported. . Tie matter of poilutton of harbors was one to ibe carefully dealt with. (New regulations providing against the danger of etfploaiona of inflammable oils landed or Shipped from the wharves were feeing prepared.

The Minister .uttered a word of warn* ing regarding the question of JKtrboT works being lightly entered into. ißofcrds, should look well ahead when erecting' new wharves, owing, to tihe increase to.. size of steamers after the wax, -RegarcV ing the non-payment of harbor dues on Government cargo, he was satisfied tfaa* if a ship taken by -the Government fop transport was engaged solely on «nyf hip in carrying cargo only to, aay, Aanw riea, the port should mot lose tte-,dngjfe ■*

Wellington, The Harbor Boards' ,affirnied the opinion that the prinriwi of Government nominees on har&ttf boards was inutound. It was resohneffi to recommend the Government to makjßs a distinction between British and for* eign vessels in the matter of dues. ' Remits were carried requesting f&4 -Government to ttfnend the Harbors Act so that vessels carrying his Majesty* mails shall not be exempt from, haxlxsf dues, and that all Government good| passing over or using the ioaaM wharves shall pay dues in th&samaamoir ner as ordinary cargo. There was a bug discussion oa tN6 'question of the control of waterside MB! bor, and the following remit was To approach the Government with Jf request that the Harbors Act be omensi ed in such a manner as to empower hang bor boards to employ, control and nucntf age all labor required in the loading ana unloading of ships, and for watezsSfi work generally, whether on the;-jdijgaei or on vessels. ---wvT