DOMINION HARBOURS.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 250, 20 October 1921, Page 4

DOMINION HARBOURS.

THE ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE. <By Telegraph.—Press Assnr-latlon.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The eighth conference of the Harbours Association of New Zealand i= being held to-day, Mr. J. G. Harkness, presiding. About forty delegates are present from different harbour boards. In moving the adoption of the report, Mr. Harkness said that he hoped pressure would be brought to bear on the Government to have necessary amendments made to the Harbours Act which might have a beneficial effect on the whole of the Dominion. The times were strenuous, the effects of the war remained, and they had to face the position with true courage. As harbour boards they had no legislation' since 1910, and for this reason they wanted necessary amendments. The motion was carried. Sir Francis Bell (Minister of Marine) attended the conference. He said it was hopeless to encourage the belief that Parliament would have time this session to make alterations in Acts affecting ■harbour boards. It was proposed-, instead, to consolidate 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. .Aifter some discussion as to the compilation of port statistics, the following resolution was carried on the voices:— '•That as the statistical returns now ■published m the official Year Book ac to exports and imports are not correct and sufficient, the Government be asked to amend and enlarge the same in the direction of showinjr separately (a) district productivity, (l>) trade within and beyond the Dominion, (c) port statistics 'both for goods and vessels. A Temit was passed advocating the extension to harbour boards, with the Minister's consent, of power to raise additional loans for the renewal of works impaired by flood, fire, or other mischance.

A recommendation from New Plymouth that boards 'be enabled to purchaee then- own debentures -with sinking funds available was adopted.

An amendment to the Trustee Act to authorise the investment of trust moneys in harbour board loans was sought in another remit adopted.

The desirability of investing loan moneys in the same manner as boaTds' 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 iboards to deposit any moneys at the credit of general or s-peeial loan account at fixed deposit with any legally authorised local authority. The conference was not in favour of the Government's, sugse3ti'>n, and the Wellington remit was adopted.

Other remits adopted were as follows: That harbour boards he allowed to collect dues on increased tonnage caused by vessels carrying dec-k cargoes; fchat vessels iputting into port in distress or for water ibe exempt from harbour dues, except where they take in cargo; that boards be empowered to make charges for the use of cattle and stock yards: that the manifest be prima facie evidence in assessing harbour dues; that the Government be aske-d to purcha.se a sea-going dredge, which may be hired out for necessary works a≤ may be required by the smaller harbour 'board?.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. {By Telegraph.—rress Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. At the conference of the Harbour Boards Association to-day it was decided that Section 2"7 of\he Harbours Act, 100S, should bo amended to provide for he licensing of <-oal hulks and other vessels trading within ports, but not plying for hire. The executive was instructed to bring under the notice of the Director of Finance without delay a remit passed by the conference yesterday urging that local bodies be relieved nt the duty of collecting debenture tax. Mr. Harkness was re-elected president of the association. Th- vice-presidents are the chairmen of the Auckland, Lyttelton, and <)t:igo Hoards. The following were elected an executive:— The chairmen of the Napier. New Plymouth, Tiniaru. and Wanganui Boards, and Captain Mr-Arthur (Wellington): secretary and treasurer. Mr. A. G. Ramett; auditor. Mr. H. E. NU-holls.