WELLINGTON HARBOUR BOARD

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8683, 17 March 1914, Page 4

WELLINGTON HARBOUR BOARD

The annual report of the Wellington Harbour Board is practically an attractive homily on the text of the city’s motto. It has much to say on the consequences of the superiority of the site. The growth of the trade all round, and tho satisfactory increase in the distributing business are, the leading features. Not many years ago the leading feature was an exaggerated view of the necessity fbr pushing ahead with expensive new works. It is satisfactory, however, that we are not asked to rurt into the Opposite extreme, starving the business which, expanding substantially, greatly needs additional facilities. The list of new works for the year Calls for an expenditure cf £74,000. The greater part of this is, on th© face of it,, reproductive. The chairman warns the board apparently not to expect the whole improvement all mt once. But no one ever looked at expenditure which may be said to be of the forward character with any such expectation. It is enough that there is a fair hope of more than the expected improvement in a reasonable time. That there is good ground for such a hope no one will, we venture to say, dream of denying. On the contrary, tho mercantile community, which is qualified by experience to form a sterling opinion, will accept the list of works as a moderate proposal in the right direction. The strike has necessarily somewhat ruffled the composure of the chairman, Whose position throughout that undesirable episode was difficult. No doubt, as he suggests, there was much obstinacy and stupidity in the brewing, and perhaps more of something else which he might have named without being very far wrong. But tho effects have passed away of the upheaval, and the Count of the cost turns out to be less formidable than was anticipated. It is matter for regret that the attempt to settle matters on a basis impregnable against strike, tactics did not lead to some practical settlement of the main difficulty of tile waterfront. But that need not prevent us from hoping that time may enable this matter to be mended. Mr Fletcher has shown by Ins remarks that he is in strong sympathy with any proposal that will give greater security of employment as well as increased efficiency in. the Work of the harbour front. Indeed, his administrative record is one of conscientious concern for the whole of the interests which he was responsible for protecting and promoting. It may be that. in a difficult situation, at tho strike period, •he has been, the target for much unfriendly criticism. But now that the trying period has passed, and the public are able to arrive at a calmer judgment, it must be conceded to Mr Fletcher by the most unreasonable of his critics that his administration during that unhappy time was remarkable for impartiality and moderation as well as an earnest desire to bring about a satisfactory settlement of the trouble. Tho experience may have been a trying and unpleasant one for Mr Fletcher, but he has the satisfaction of knowing that lie discharged the duties of his position conscientiously and well!