The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, JUNE 30, 1924. THE HARBOUR REPORT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 30 June 1924, Page 8

The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, JUNE 30, 1924. THE HARBOUR REPORT.

Although, the Timaru Harbour Board, as late as last Eriday, laiu the olticiai seal of secrecy on the report of the Royal Commission, appointed to report on schemes of harbour improvement and extension, the report was not regarded in that light in Wellington, and details of the findings of the Commission were announced a few hours after the Board refused to consent to the publication of the report. There is no misunderstanding- the decision of the Commission. It found itself unable to give its approval to either of the schemes submitted to it. The Commission’s conclusions are summed up as follows :—“While wo have found ourselves able to advise that of the two schemes the ‘Dashing Rocks’ proposal, as well as being practicable, will effect all the purposes for which it was devised, we are not satisfied that the relief desired by the Board cannot be obtained at much less cost. We are also, in the absence of personal observation of the port under heavy weather conditions, unable to express an opinion whether the drawbacks now existing are as acute as has been represented to us. We consider, too, that in a matter involving an expenditure of nearly £400,000, further engineering investigations should be made with a view to other schemes being devised which would give results more commensurate with their cost.” Unquestionably the Commission has taken the safe course, since it is infinitely less hazardous to recommend that nothing* should be done pending further engineering investigation, than to offer a construction policy. The Commission claims to have examined the alternative proposals submitted for its consideration, by the Board. The decision of the Commission can be stated in a sentence: One scheme would be ineffectual while the other is adjudged too costly. Doubtless representations were made to the Commission in favour of immediately providing additional accommodation. “In the matter of accommodation,” the report says, “the anticipated reduction in range will render No. 1 wharf available at nil times, and nothing need he done in the way of providing further accommodation for many years.” Dealing with the cost, the report of the Commissioners 1 says: “With regard to cost, we have examined the quarry sites, and the access thereto, and have also had before us particulars of the work previously earned but, and, afteu. carefully 'investigating these, concur m the estimate of cost made by Mr Clarke. Our examination of the quarry sites leads us to the belief that no difficulty will be met with in obtaining thu necessary stone. We tnereloib find: (ly That the 'DasUing Rocks' scheme, in its complete form, is souud from an engineeimg point ol view; (Z) that it is quite' practicable; (d) that it wilJ effect the purposes for which it was devised; (4) that the estimate of cost is reasonable.” The Board must now face the situation. The problem of harbour improvement calls for solution within the next few years. It is, nevertheless, the business of the exports to evolve a practicable scheme, and although the Commission haw given, as it were, a report, that is, in the main, mostly negative, the Board will doubtless take the safe course of suggesting that the Government should recommend some highly qualified engineer to make the most exhaustive inquir, into the vital problem of harbour improvement and extension.

THREATS OE OBSTRUCTION

Since the op]Jonen(.s of the present Govern meat suuered tmee uenouts on i« miay evening m tneir euorts to overumnv ALi Jtlassey, tile iutiiity oi tiie no-coniidencu amendments the Liberal-Labour i'auy and the Labour Laity threaten to hurl at the present occupants of the Treasury beat cues, must be apparent to all save the politicians who seek their own aggrandisement.. Doth Mr Whllord and Mr Holland attempted to compromise the Government and its supporters by making the question or hours of labour the test resolution. As Mr Massey quite eiiec lively poinied out , the Arbi tt at ion Court, as an absolutely independent tribunal, determines the hours of labour, while the- conditions of employment in the railway service are being investigated by a specially-constituted committee accepted by the men and the Department. With tin l followers of Mr \V ilford, however, principle does not. count. Iderause Mi Holland was lucky enough to submit the. amendment which first went, to the vole, Mr AY ilford and his followers, teming 1 li at criticism would be levelled at ilieni if they followed Mr Holland into (lie division, either refrained I’m;" voting, or joined forces with the Government to indict a crushing defeat upon Labour. 1I must I e said, however, in fairness to Labour's parlinmenlarv mimsentation, that they are a.I La -J----consisloni in i heir voting. A- Mi Holland claimed in his remni k - followin:r * Im* fat'linu m hi; 1 ,i 1 •-eral-IM'ilii m i res, .Mil An : "Tho Lnlioiir Lari v eonsi-Menl wit!' jjs g inieml atii tilde" won Id , II |-,iol! 1 he avemlmeal. The ronildi.eii. " < " I, "< •«•«..< h d ie.sj!c*clivcl\ by Mr Wilford and

Mr Holland, failed to defeat the Government, Mr Massey's majority being* the same slender margin as saved the Reform Cabinet from defeat last session. The point we wish to stress, however, is that since the combined Opposition forces are not equal to *ho following the Government holds in the present House, Mr Wilford and Mr Holland will be guilty of obstructionist, tactics, it further time be wasted by the fruitless and futile discussions on hostile amendments which have not the faintest hope _of being endorsed by a majority of Mie House.