HARBOUR LOAN BILL

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27670, 28 May 1955, Page 9

HARBOUR LOAN BILL

DIFFERING VIEWS EXPRESSED

FEDERATED FARMERS AT ASHBURTON

Differing views of the effect of the passing of the Lyttelton Harbour Board’s Loan and Empowering Bill were expressed at the annual conference of the Mid-Canterbury Provincial Executive of Federated Farmers yesterday. “You are frightened of the rate, and there is nothing to be frightened of,” said the Mayor of Ashburton. (Mr E. C. Bathurst) opening the conference.

“Some of you at this meeting are against the Lyttelton Harbour Board’s Loan and Empowering Bill because of the rate involved, but I am confident the rate will never be struck. You must realise that neither you, nor anybody else, will lend money without security, and this is the only purpose of the rate. I would seriously ask you to consider the scheme, because I believe it would benefit MidCanterbury.”

Later in the meeting a different view was expressed by Mr P. J. Mowat.

“At the last meeting of the harbour board, there was a changed atmosphere over this Loan and Empowering Bill,” he said. “Members from counties in the board’s area are opposing the bill, and even one who is supporting the bill is for modifying the rating clauses.”

In reply to the statement by Mr Bathurst, Mr Mowat said that there was no question as to whether the rate would be struck. He did not think it was only a security rate. “In the 11 years I have been on the board, the deficiency has become £120,000 in the board’s total revenue.”

Mr Mowat was reporting from a subcommittee set up by the Federated Farmers’ executive to investigate ways of opposing the rating empowerment of the bill. A statement of the subcommittee listed 14 points to present in opposition to the bill.