HARBOUR BOARDS BILL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 146, 14 March 1908, Page 4

HARBOUR BOARDS BILL.

AUCKLAND OPINION. (BY TSI.EaBirn—BrEOIAL COUKESPONPENT.I , !■ . >:• Auckland, March 13. The Government's Harbour Boards Bill—* which was dropped last session, but which, it is 'understood, '.will be'.,reintroduced . when ' Parliament reassembles' was under discus--sioil at yesterday's meeting., of tho Council of tho. Auckland Chamber of Commerce. /' 'A- letter was received-from tlie-.Wellington Chamber of Commerce pointing out that the' s . Bill did not provido for special representation. ■ of Chambers of Commerce. . A suitable and. useful class of member -.was, it was con- ' sidered, more likely to bo secured through nominating by a Chamber of Coinmerco' thaji . by popular election, and tho mercantile community, being most interested, and most conversant with tho working of a harbour,, had' .tho bestxlaim to a share, in ift oontrol. Tho Auckland Chamber was asked to:co-operate'.' with tho Wellington Chamber in making're- , presentations to the. Government. \ ' Mr. J. B. Macfarlane remarked that, under the. Bill, there would, bo. practically, a' now Board at Auckland, , 'oiid such- a 'complete chango would be a great. mistako ; , as the niombcrs'had now.got into the workings, and tho Board wa3 engaged, in very important works, v. Mr. J. Evans remarked that to alter the .: , Auckland Board now would bp-'" swopping horses" in inid-stream, for tho Bonrd was engaged on a great programmo of works; The Cha.mber should certainly bo' represented by jno member. ' ._ \ / The matter was referred to a sub-committee to draw up the Chamber's views in a letter 1 to be forwarded to tho Government. ,