WESTPORT HARBOUR BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3244, 17 May 1916, Page 8

WESTPORT HARBOUR BOARD.

PROTEST TO THE GOVERNMENT. (From Oub Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, May 9. A -->rotest against the proposed diversion of the "vVcstnort Harbour Board to Government control was made this evening by a deputation consisting of Messrs A. Leaver (Mayor of Wcstport), G. Powell, and A. A. Wilson (Bullcr County Council), who waited on Mr Massey, Sir Joseph Ward, and Dr M'Nab (Minister of Marine). The Prime Minister, in replying to the arguments used, pointed out that the Westport Harbour was in quite a different position from other harbours. It was a matter in which the whole of New Zealand was interested; in fact, it was a matter of Imperial concern. The. decision of the Government was really arrived at in the interests of Westport itself. The whole success of the harbour and district depended upon the harbour being made available for deep-water ships. His colleagues and himself would have much pleasure in placing their representations before the Cabinet, but he asked them not to ran away with the idea that the improvement works were going to stop if the Government assumed control. On tho contrary, they were mora likely to be expedited. Sir Joseph Ward said the decision of tho Cabinet had not been arrived at in consequence, of any representations from people in tho district. If the Government took over the control of tho harbour tho revenue must bo ear-marked for tho use of tho harbour and for th© repayment of the existing loan.