On Decentralisation love To Confer

Northern Advocate, 6 May 1949, Page 4

On Decentralisation love To Confer

KERIKERI, Fri. (Sp.)— An enthusiastic reception was given by the Bay of Islands Harbour Board, when it me! at Kerikeri yesterday, to a letter from the New Zealand Harbours’ Association suggesting formation of a special committee to discuss with the Government the problems of decentralisation'of shipping. This committee, it was suggested, should be composed of representatives of the small ports directly concerned, in conjunction with the association’s president '['he letter the board received was in the nature of a circular sent out to nine harbour boards asking whether such a move would be favourably considered by them. If so, it was suggested that a meeting should be arranged between this committee and the Minister of Marine, with representatives of the Overseas Shipping Allotment Committee in attendance. This body is a joint organisation of the New Zealand shipowners; CHAIRMAN APPOINTED The other harbour boards to whom circular letters were sent were Gisborne Nelson, Oamaru, Tauranga, Timaru, Tolaga Bay, Wanganui and Whangarei. The Bay of Islands board members were keen on such a move, which, it was considered, was a step in the rigtr direction. The chairman( Mr J. R. Morris) was 'Pointed the board’s representative ' the new committee. This appointed was made on the motion of losses A Riddell and A. C. Hingston. Considerable discussion was heard immediately following this discussion on the matter of sending two board representatives to Wellington to confer directly with the Minister of Marine, as resolved at the board's April meeting. The two representatives then appointed were Messrs Morris and J. D. Hislop. It was decided, on the motion of Messrs Riddell and C. S. Foster, to write to the Minister asking him if it would be possible to work i' both visits at the same time to avoid unnecessary expense to the board.