NEW ZEALAND HARBORS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1921, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND HARBORS.

CONFERENCE OF BOARDS. STATEMENT AS TO LEGISLATION. MANY REMITS PASSED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The eighth conference of the Harbors' Association’ of New Zealand was held to-day, Mr. J. G. Harkness presiding, and about 40 delegates being present from different harbor boards. In moving the adoption of the report, Mr. Harkness hoped that pressure would be brought to bear on the Government to have the necessary amendments made to the Harbor Act which might have a beneficial effect on the whole Dominion. Times were strenuous, the effects of the war remained, and they had to face the position with courage. As harbor boards they had ha<! no legislation since 1910. For this reason they wanted the necessary amend ments. The president then referred to the more important remits in turn. Power was wanted authorising the investment of trust moneys in harbor board loans; the debenture tax to be removed, as it made a harbor board a tax collector; unauthorised expenditure was at present limited to £250 per annum; faulty compilation of trade statistics; affecting raising loans, and other matters. In conclusion the president spoke of waterside labor, referring to a remit of the executive asking the Government to empower harbor boards to employ, control and manage all labor required for waterside work generally. Difficulties were the casual nature of the work and the character of the men employed, and the first cause affected the second. Some men did not desire constant or regular work and there was constant loss ol efficiency. Determination of the best elements of human nature was the net result. An easy method advocated by some was to increase the daily wagei but any such proposal- woulu only intensify the present evil. LEGISLATION PROPOSED. Sir Francis Bell, Minister of Marine attended the conference. He said it wai hopeless to encourage a belief that Parliament would have time this session to make alterations in the Acts affecting harbor boards. It was proposed instead to consolidate the existing Acts during the recess, and next session to present a Bill covering the whole position, with the adoption of as many remits and amendments as Parliament should deem fit.

, The conference resolved to recommend the- Minister of Finance to arrange at an early date a conference of all local bodies which are applying for loans over £lO,OOO, with the idea of coming to an arrangement which would reduce the call upon public moneys at the present time. It was also resolved to request that power be given harbor boards to receive money on deposit and pay interest thereon. The Minister of Marine handed in a list of remits to which the Government had assented. To many the Government had not assented, such as the rating of Government property in harbor board areas. Mr. H. Everett secured the passage of a remit extending to harbor boards, with the Minister’s consent, power to raise additional loans for renewal works .impaired by flood, fire, or other mischance. QUESTIONS OF FINANCE. A recommendation from New Plymouth that boards be enabled to purchase their own debentures with sinking funds available was adopted after a brief discussion. The following remit by Mr. A, E, Jull (Napier) was adopted: “That representation. be made to the Minister of Finance to convene as eariy as possible a conference of all local bodies applying for loans of, say, over £’0,000; with the idea of discussing the question of the financial requirements of such bodies for, say, the next twelve months an arrangement might be come to which would reduce the call upon public moneys at the present time.”

An amendment to the Trustee Act to authorise the investment of . trdst moneys in harbor board loans was sought in a remit tabled by Mr. F. Horrell (Lyttelton). The conference adopted it. The desirability of investing loan moneys in the same manner as a board’s sinking funds can now be invested, was the effect of a Wellington remit. The chairman suggested that the conference adopt the Government’s suggestion that power be given to boards to deposit any moneys at the credit of its general or special lodn account on fixed deposit with any legally authorised local authority. The conference was not in favor of the Government’s suggestion and the Wellington remit was agreed to. A Napier remit making the amount of debentures unlimited was agreed to. OTHER REMITS. Other remits were adopted as follows: That harbor boards be allowed to collect dues on increased tonnage caused by vessels carrying deck cargoes. That vessels putting into port in distress or for water be exempt from harbor dues, except where they take in cargo. That boards be empowered to make charges for the use of cattle and stockyards. That the manifest be prima facie evidence in assessing harbor dues. That pilotage exemption certificates be granted to vessels constructed in a port or leaving it. That the Government be asked to purchase a sea-going dredge, which may be hired out for necessary works as may be required by smaller harbor hoards. The Government to be recommended to pay full market value for all land resumed.by it from harbor boards. That foreshores be vested in harbor boards. That travellers, fishing vessels and Whalers be exempt from duos. That vessels belonging to the Government of British possessions and engaged in commercial trading should pdy bor dues. That mail steamers be exempt. That pilots must be British subjects. Several speakers addresjed' the conference on the debenture tax in its relation to harbor board finance and remits were merged into one urging amending legislation. The conference approved the issue of inscribed stock.