HARBOUR BOARDS FRANCHISE.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 36, 11 August 1905, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARDS FRANCHISE.

HOW WIDE SHOULD IT BE? A good deal of time was occupied yesterday by the Harbour Boards' Association in discussing the constitution and representation of Harbour Boards. The first point was the following remit by the Thames Harbour Board : — "That a determined stand be taken against the proposal to elect members of Harbour Boards by popular franchise." Mr. Laurenson, M.H.R. (Lyttelton Board), opposed. There was no one who denied that the franchise needed drastic alteration. Mr. E. W. Alison, M.H.R. (Auckland and Thames Boards), supported the remit. He referred to the restricted franchise (ratepayers') of local bodies. The Parliamentary franchise was a different thing. The Hon. Jas. Carroll, Native Minister (Gisborne Board), thought the proposal went too far. Ultimately they would have to widen the franchise. Mr. Wm. Ferguson (Wellington Board) stated that two years ago the Minister for Marine had' introduced a Bill greatly widening the franchise (ratepayers' franchise^ he believed), and .sweeping away technical knowledge on Harbour Boards. The Bill was not in.troduced last session, but was promised ; hence, no doubt, the action of the Thames Board.^ Mr. H. Beauchamp (Wellington Board) moved a resolution / disapproving the popular franchise for Harboiu Boards, and reaffirming the resolution passed by the Association last year. This resolution reads as follows : — "That in respect to Harbour Boards which have no rating powers the basis of representation should be as follows : (a) ownera of ships and payers of dues of £3 and upwards per annum; (b) ratepayers of principal city and 'seaport respeptively ; (c) Mayor of principal' city or Chairman of principal Town Board ; (d) members to be returned by County Councils and boroughs within the district-. That in respect to Harbour Boards having rating powers, the constitution of such Boards should remain as at present." Mr. Buddo, M.H.R. (Lyttelton Board), wished the Association to declare for elective Boards (but not on Parliamentary franchise), as against nominated Boards. Mr. Lymar (Gisborne Board) was in favour of elimination of Government members and ejection of Boards on a ratepayers' franchise (nofc Parliamentary). It was finally decided, on the motion of Mr. Alison, seconded by Mr. M'Lellan, '"That the Association strongly disapproves of members of Harbour Boards being elected by popular franchise." The Auckland Board sent a recommendation to amend the above-quoted resolution passed by the Association last year, in respect of Boards without rating power. The proposed amendments are : — (1) By deleting "(a) owners of ships and payers of dues of £3 and upwards per annum," and substituting therefor "(a) owners of ships and bona-'fide importers of goods who pay dues to the amount of £3 and upwards." (2) By the addition of the following clause : — "(e) Members appointed by the Governor in Council." Mr. Ferguson said there might be something in the point, but he did not see how they could make up the roll on the basis of "bona fide importers." They had to go by those who paid. Mr. J. M. Brigham (Auckland. Boa^d) suggesfsd^thAmhe present qualification could be so split up among a number of payers that spurious or fa.ggot votes were created. They had seen this done id Auckland." Mr.-, Jas. "M'Lellan (Wellington Board) stated that Wellington's experience was the con-trary-rthe franchise did not reach those who should have' it. Another speaker pointed out that both the lost speakers made out a case for an alteiation. Further consideration of this remit was postponed till to-day, when the following motion by Mr. G. . Witty, M.H.E. (Lyttelton Board), was to come up for consideration :— "That this Association is of opinion that members of Harbour Boards should be elected by ratepayers in counties, and from a municipal franchise roll in boroughs and cities, and all cases of ex officio _ and nominated members be done away with." In the course of discussion. Mr. Beauchamp said that County Councils had sent to tho Wellington Harbour Board some of the best members the Board -had ever seen.