HARBOR SCHEME MEETINGS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 August 1918, Page 8

HARBOR SCHEME MEETINGS.

MEETING AT MANAIA, iPATEA OR NEW PLYMOUTH! As.was anticipated, the meeting held at Manaia on Wednesday night to discuss the proposed New Plymouth Harbor improvement scheme proved a particularly interesting one and evoked keen discussion and strong opposition. There were about 150 ratepayers of the third area present, including « number of ladies, wno, however, retired long before the conclusion of the meeting, which lasted until nearly one o'clock. The Harbor Boerd representatives present were Messrs Newton King (chairman), Wilkinson, M.P., Hughes, lonnett, Maxwell, and AfGuinness (members),and Mr. Blair Meson (engineer). The Vigilance Committee were present in strong force, tliere being present: Messrs W. D. Powdrell, B. Murdoch, J. R. Corrigan, A. 0. Pease, R. J. Dunn, T. M'Phillips, D. L. A- Astbury, and J. Marx. Air. J. .T- Meldon,«ehairman of the Manaia Town Board, presided. Mr. W. D. Powdrell spoke at length in support of the claims of the port of Patca. Interjections were frequent. A resolution, proposed by Mr. T. IFPhillips and seconded by Mr. S. iiPKay, was carried declining to pledge the ratepayers of the district for any further borrowing. An amendment, proposed by Mr. Gee and seconded by Mr. Christie, that the meeting is prepared to support the scheme outlined and, further, is of opinion that the port of New Plymouth is the only one on the West Coast capable of dealing with the overseas' exports and imports of the province, wa3 defeated liv 54 votes to 2G. Our detailed report of the proceedings is held over. DISCUSSED BY ELTHAM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. The harbor proposals were discussed at tlie last meeting of the Elthant Chamber of Commerce. The president (Mr. J". L. Weir) said that the townspeople should take a greater interest iu a matter that ' was vital to the future of the province. In making up their minds on the matter the president urged that they should be guided by the merits of the case. A number .of irrelevant arguments were being advanced which had no bearing on the question; a broad and statesmanlike view should be taken of a movement which was of so great importance to the province. To get a true perspective they should climb to the top of our great mountain and view from Waitara to Patea that land which produced so many millions, and then turning themselves about should view the coastline from Waitara to Patea, and put to themselves the question,, "Does this great and rich land need a deep-sea harbor, and, if so, where?"—He left it to them to answer this as intelligence suggested. Mr. T. B. Crump asked, were they, or were they not, to have a harbor in Taranaki for ocean-going steamers. There certainly should be a harbor, and New .Plymouth was the only place for one. The chamber might very well make its voice heard on this question. This was a question of absolutely vital importance to the whole of Taranaki.

Mr. Gow hoped that during the coming year some of the parochial spirit that was evident in Taranaki generally would be dropped. It did not exist in the Eltham Chamber of Commerce, but it did exist in some quarters, which was much to be regretted, for it had in the past retarded the interests of Taranaki. It was being introduced into the harbor question. Taranaki must have a harbor, and the leading men in Taranaki should study the interests of New Zealand as a whole, and not merely vested interests. Mr. C. Wilson moved a resolution to the effect that the Eltham Chamber of Cojnmereq approve the scheme —the resolution to be forwarded to the chairman of the New Plymouth Harbor Board. The chairman pointed out that they had just appointed some country representatives, who were not present, and it would not be. fair to pass such a resolution in their absence. He ruled that notice of motion would have to be given. Mr. J. L. Campbell moved that it be a recommendation that a special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce be called at an early date to discuss the harbor question.—Argus,