MINISTER’S DENIAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26933, 19 November 1948, Page 4

MINISTER’S DENIAL

REPRESENTATION ON HARBOUR BOARD “A POLITICIAN’S REPLY” A denial of any suggestion that he had expressed an opinion that a few hundred waterfront industry employees should have representation on the Otago Harbour Board equal to that of 51,000 country residents in the province, was contained in a letter received from the Minister of Marine, Mr Hackett, at last night’s meeting of the Otago Harbour Board.

The letter was in reply to a remit sent'forward from the Harbours Association conference: “That the Minister of Marine should be requested to give an explanation why he considers a few hundred waterfront industry employees should have the same number of representatives (three) on the Otago Harbour Board as 51,000 country people in Otago.” The Minister stated in his reply that he considered the remit was based on a false assumption, as he was not aware that he had at any time expressed that opinion. “ What I did say, and I repeat, is that I consider that persons connected with the waterfront industry could render valuable assistance as members of a harbour board by bringing to the board a practical knowledge of working conditions in a port. I am still of that opinion,” the letter concluded.

“I think the Minister’s reply a very foolish one,” commented Mr F. E. Tyson. “As far as we are concerned, it is the law now, and we have only got to abide by it.” Mr C. O. Knewstubb: It was a typical politician’s reply.