THE USE OF HARBORS.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 August 1918, Page 4

THE USE OF HARBORS.

AND RATING RESPONSIBILITY. During the meetings that have been, held in South Taranaki, a considerable amount of time has been devoted to the i discussion of the merits of Patea and New Plymouth as the more suitable port for the South Taranaki districts. Prom* inent men in the dairy industry in gouth Taranaki have consistently advocated the claims of Patea. They , have pointed out that the district shipped its pfgguce through Patea, and would gain no benefit from the development of New Plymouth harbor, urging this as a reason why the district should not be askei to pledge its lands as security for any new loan. At Manr' ■ Wilkinson. asked; If they were .iisfled' with the New Plymouth bl- d, would they be satisfied to be included in the Patea Harbor District? When the Bill was before the House, and they said they desired to eon* tinue to put all their produce through Patea, and were not satiaflpd wjth the New Plymouth scheme,' the Hoitffe might say: "You must go into the Patea district." A speaker censidered Parliament could not do that. Mr, Wilkinson said there was no felling what Parliament might do if t|e arguments were sound, and were endorsed* by ratepayers. He thought they would be foolish to think of joining Patea. Even the opponents of the schema would say, "Stop in New Plymouth." When they advocated a certain course, they must be prepared to take the results. Touching on the same subject at Kapuni, Mr. Wilkinson said that if they wished to join Patea Harbor District it would be his business, as tbeir member to assist them to do so. _ A speaker: "What about the colleot tion of any rata on the present Ne\f Plymouth loan?" Mr. Wilkinson said that this could to overcome, as was the case now with county councils by Patea collecting the rate and handing it over to the New Plymouth Board. There was no power to permit harbor boards doing this, but a, provision might be enacted for this pur* posa.