HARBOUR BOARDS

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18152, 15 August 1924, Page 15

HARBOUR BOARDS

ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE. (FUESS ASSOCIATION T®LEGBAJ£.J WELLINGTON, August 14.

The annual conference of the Har boflrs Association of New Zealand opened to-day. The Hon. G. J. Anderson (Minister of Marine) said that, although he had promised last. year to bring in an Amending BUI this Session, in view of the present conference, ho had deter mined to postpone further legislation until next year, until he had an oppor tunity of carefully considering the recommendations of the conference. He pointed out that the Act provided that before harbour wort could be commenced, plans must be approved by Department. Hitherto the attitude a largely been that, if work did not interfere with navigation, the Departmen s function was fulfilled. However, in future it would be wise, especially 11. the case of new harbours, that complete plans be submitted without any fuss or troubled These plans should be thoroughly gone into, and then the pu lie would have a greater security than if sueh precautionary steps were not taken. The Department would determine if harbour work was essential from navigation and engineering points ot view; whether, if other means of transport exist, provision of additional means was justifiable, and whether the wom be of such advantage as to be self-sup-porting without recourse to special rating. , Mr G. Mitchell (Wellington), who presided, thanked the Minister of Marine for bringing down the Consolidating Harbours Act embodying measures Boards had long striven for. There were, however, many other matters which they thought should be included. European countries, said Mr Mitchell, wei-e becoming competitors m British markets with New Zealand pro duce, and cheaper labour costs and freights favoured them. The stoppage of borrowed money for war purposes, and the depression ' at Home had severelv curtailed the purchasing power of the' British people. Under the circumstances, New Zealand could not look for a continuance of high prices for the whole of her produce, but there was no need for alarm. Their aim should be to give more efficient and cheaper service to shipping and shippers alike, which would make for lower cost of transport. The following remits were adopted: — "That the section of the Act dealing with the annual election of a chairman be amended to provide that nominations for that office be lodged not less than seven days previous to the statutory date on which the election is held." "That consideration be given to the suggestion of the Marine Department that Section 33 of the Harbours Act, ?923, be altered to provide that 'reasonable additional cost' shall be based on the ratio which members of a Harbour Board bear towards members of the local authority or authorities participating in the election." ' 'That Section 4.5 of the Harbour? Act, 1893, be amended to provide for the same notice being given of statutory meetings as is required for special meetings, namely, four days." "That Section 37. of the Harbours Act, 1923, be amended by substituting the words 'thirtieth day of September' for the words 'thirty-first day of September' in this section." "That the Finance Act, 1920, and Trustee Act,, 19.QS, ..be. go amended ..as. to authorise investment of trust moneys in loans of Harbour Boards not having rating powers." " That power be given to trustees and friendly societies to invest moneys in Harbour Board loans." "That every ]>erson commits an affence who directly or indirectly discharges sewerage ; et-c., into any ha> bour or on to the. foreshore of any .harbour." —Otago. "That the Harbours Act, 1923, be so' amended - as to make it clear that Boards are to be entitled to full compensation for lands taken or injuriously affected by the resumption of land by the Government." —Otago. _ ■ • "That owners of land on river-banks be compelled to keep the banks clear of overhanging growth in the case of all navigable streams.'' —Wairau. "That the owner of a ship in connexion with which towage se-ivice shall be rendered by a Board shall be liable to pay charges for such towage, which charges shall constitute a lien on the ship. The Board shall not be concerned to enquire into the authority of ths applicant-for such ser.ice." —Auckland : "That the Harbours Act be amended to provide that contracts need not be made where the amount to be expended is 'less than £500." (£SOO. is now the limit.) —Auckland.