THE HARBOUR BOARD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 May 1938, Page 6

THE HARBOUR BOARD

MRS BARRER SPEAKS FOR HUSBAND LAST NIGHT MR J. WALKER ADDRESSES ELECTORS Mr T. R. Barrer, who is seeking reelection to the Wellington Harbour Board, was unable to attend last night’s meeting of electors in the Opera House, but his wife obtained the permission of the chairman to read a statement on his behalf. Mr James Walker, a candidate for the Harbour Board also briefly addressed the meeting. In the statement read, Mr -Barrer referred to the sound administration of the board, the members of which were faithfully serving the public. The financial position of the board was such that when the floating dock was purchased cash was paid to the tune of a quarter of a million. The rates of wages, insurance and superannuation paid by the board were among the highest in the world. Mr Barrer had strenuously opposed the raising of the port charges, which would be passed on to the public. If he were re-elected he would again endeavour to serve the public to the best of his ability. Mr Walker said he regretted that Mr Barter was not present as he wished to question him regarding statements he was alleged to have made to the effect that work on wharves which cost £lOO in England, cost £l3O in Sydney and £3OO in Wellington. If the Wellington Board were so well managed, why- was there a difference of £l7O between Sydney and Wellington charges? He had had over 30 years experience in transport matters and considered that if he were elected to the board he might be able to evolve some scheme to bring about a reduction in the port charges. Obviously . there was something wrong. They were either not getting 100 per cent from the men, or else the machinery was not 100 per cent efficient. At a later stage in the meeting, Mrs Barrer endeavoured to reply to Mr Walker’s question, but when she made a remark about the trouble being “the go-slow policy of the men on the wharf,” she was greeted with cries of “sit down” and boos. She continued to speak and was called to order by the chairman (Mr R. N. Shaw), who said she could not introduce controversial political matters into the meeting.