HARBOUR BOARDS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5665, 12 August 1905, Page 9

HARBOUR BOARDS.

FIRST ANN FAR CON FFRKNCF. \ SKCOND DAY. The conference of the Harbour Boards As-mcuU ion of New Zealand reir. sit nn- in the Chamber of Commerce yos. e-day, Mr W. Cable (Wei- ! The first business of the day was consideration of tile cirat'l bill embodying = the proposals of the executive for a ; Miperanmiat ion scheme for employee" of lln>bour Boards throughout the colony. L Mr Cable suggested that the hill (a ‘ summary of which appeared in the -Tunes yesterday) should be cons-dercd in committee, and this was agreed to. On resuming, it was reported that the following motion had been carried:— That this conference approves the creation of a superannuation fund, and that the bill prepared by the executive be referred to a committee, with power to ■ amend same, and report to the various Board*, anti that the committee obtain i from the actuary df possib.e supported | by the Government Actuary) a state- I ment jus to the d'fficulties raised during | the discussion on the hill, and forward j stick .statement to the various Boards. .MKTHODS OF FLFCTION. The remit from Auckland (consideration of which was potpornM the previous dav), seeking to make certain alterations in a .motion passed nt the last conference, touching the basis of representation for Boards, was lost on the voices. Mr Witty (Lyttelton) then moved—- “ That this meeting is of opinion that, members of Harbour Boards should be' elected by ratepayers in counties, ami i from a municipal franchise roll in j boroughs and cities, and that cx-olhcioj and nominated members bo done away j with.” j .Mr Jennings said he would support! the motion if Mr Witty would accept a proviso “that tin’s would not affect! Boards which have no rating powers.” I Mr Witty objected to do this. j Mr Ferguson (Wellington) said the discussion was irregular. They had previously reaffirmed a resolution parsed last year. This motion traversed that

After some disonsfrion, it was agreed that Mr Jull should he allowed to road an amendment ho had prepared ill the following terms: —That in lieu of tiio representation as provided by the Harbours Act, 1878, and the various special acts, the following basis be recommended :—ln respect of Harbour Boards not having rating powers the provisions, as passed by the conference last year, be reaffirmed, with a minimum and maximum number of members; in _ respect to Harbour Boards having rating powers, a minimum and maximum number of members to be provided; the Board to have power to vary from time to time, within the limits prescribed, tho number of representatives and the boundaries of the subdivisions of tho district having regard to the ratable value and the population thereof; tho representations to be upon a ratepayers’ basis. Mr Lyisnar seconded Mr Jull s motion, which was lost by a big majority. Mr Witty’s motion was then further discussed.

Air E. W. Alison (Auckland) said Mr Witty represented a Board which had no rating powers, and he now proposed to do something which affected Boards which had.

Air James AlcLellan (Wellington) at>ketl how it was possible for a Board like Wellington, whose district extended up to Alaiiawatu, to get a representative for each of these districts?

Air Witty; Quito easily. Air AlcLellan maintained that it was impossible.

Air Ferguson (Wellington) was satisfied that if any such system as that desired was introduced they would not have the same class of member rein rood they had now. It was wrong for Mr Witty to move tho motion ho had; tho present system had been productive of very good results. The work of compiling tho roll for such an election would be very difficult and very oostly. Ho quite agreed that there should be representation proportionate to taxation, providing always that tho payers of dues ipul primary representation on the Boards. Air Buddo contended that there was no difficulty in tho compilation of the rolls.

Air Lysiuir agreed with Air Ferguson that where there was taxation there should bo representation. But the Government paid no rates, and should not retain the power to nominate members. He had been elected without any difficulty.

Air Buddo: Then you are in favour of this ?

Mr Lysnar: No (Laughter.) Delegates: Things are getting mixed I Air Lysnar then got Air Witty to alter his motion for the retention of members appointed by tho Government, and the proposition was put to the conference in the amended form. the motion was lost by a very largo majority. PERSONAL INTERESTS. Tho following remit brought down by the Napier delegates was affirmed:— ■That similar provision be made in the Harbours Act as is contained in section G 8 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1900, in respect to members voting on matters in which they have a personal interest.” LEASING POWERS. Tho following remit from Dunedin was formally moved: —“That the Local Bodies Leases Bill, as introduced by tho Hon Sir J. G. Ward, and now before Parliament, be taken into consideration by this conference.” In tho discussion which followed, Mr Ferguson (Wellington) said it seemed to him that tho bill, as brought, down, aimed at taking away from Harbour Boards some of tho powers they at present possessed. It would be well to ask the Government not to alienate those powers. The bill was a very useful one except in this respect. Mr Brigham (Auckland) endorsed these views. Considerable discussion followed. Eventually, Air Stephens (Dunedin) moved: That provision be inserted in tho Local Bodies Leases Bill to the effect that it shall not apply to any local authority until so applied by proclamation of tho Governor-in-Conncil, made at the request of tho local authority, and that in the meantime the acts affecting such local authority remain in force, and that the bill bo referred to tho Executive, with power to suggest other necessary amendments. The original remit was discarded in favour of tho foregoing motion,-which was carried unanimously. This concluded the business of the conference. The findings of the committee set up to consider the Superannuation Bill will be placed before individual Boards in due course.