Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1895.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 114, 16 May 1895, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1895.

The Wellington Carriers' Union lius had a dispute with tho Harbour Board, which the Union accuses of favouritism. Of the merits of the case of coarse we know nothing* All we can say is that the Wellington Harbour Board has for many years been a body possessed of great souse. It had the wits to find out a highly capable engineer and aftciwards to be guided by his advice. A great deal of money has been spent on providing conveniences for the shipping at the port, but it has been spent exceedingly well, and there aye not many harbours that arc better found in the colonies. There was this advantage that natu.o had done much, aud that extensive dredging and wall building such as have been cariied on in Otngo Harbour have not been necessary. Still credit is due to tlie Board and its ollicials for the harmonious and orderly way in which thoy proceed, and for tho excellent work carried out undor their care. It would be rather interesting to know in what manner the Board shows fav.uri.isui to particular carriers. One would naturally think that if thevo were anything of the kind it would bo on the part of the ollicials, but it seems that it is not so, as the at'ack of the Union is on the Board itself. It ia a decided sign of the times that a small trades union, some of the members of which think themselves aggrieved, should think it worth while to appeal to ] the Premier of the colopy to alter the constitution of an imimportant public body. It is impossible to say how Mr • v eddou may receive tbe request, j but he • has on several occasions shown a considerable amount of backbone, which tends to tho hope that he will point out the absurdity of the proposal. The method of j electing Harbour Boards may be right or may be wrong, but the question ought not to be raised on such an occasion as a complaint

that _ome particular carriers enjoy favou.3 not given to others. It i_ to be feared that it is impossible to invent a method of election of any ] public body whatever which will make such charges imporsible. Members of the House of Representatives are elected on a wide enough franchise, no one can dony, and with them in effect lies the choice of those who carry on the Government of the country. Mr Seddon would be highly indigmnt if it were suggested that he and his colleagues were net leaders chosen by the people. In spite of this accusations of favouriiism have been made against even aouio o£ the present Ministers, and it was one of themselves who first made use of the often repeated phrase "the right colour." That the accusations against the Government is entirely without foundation is hardly denied, and it would be diflicnlt to do so with effect in tho face of the manner in which it deals with newspapers. Thi;. being the case, even if the Carriers' Union were to get its way and popular election on the widest basis wero to be employed in choosing members of the Harbour Boards the chance of eomp'aint3 of favouritism would not be much reduce 1.