The Timaru Herald SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1936. TIMARU HARBOUR POLICY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXX, Issue 20165, 20 July 1935, Page 8

The Timaru Herald SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1936. TIMARU HARBOUR POLICY

Yesterday was one of those day of days in the history of the Timaru harbour on which the progressive spirit of the people of South Canterbury was reflected in the momentous decision made by members, For many months, the hesitancy of several members of the Board seemed to create something of a feeling of despair, and at one or two periods the impression existed that the chances of a progressive policy enthusing the Board, were most remote. So one who appreciates the heavy burden of responsibility reposing on members of the Harbour Board would expect members of an important local governing body to make decisions without the fullest investigations. But we think it can be said that the problem of providing safe and efficient harbour accommodation at the Port of South Canterbury is one of the most vital issues before the people of South Canterbury -today. It is this conviction, therefore, that has moved the progressive members of the Timaru Harbour Board to champion the adoption of a scheme of harbour improvements that would eliminate the difficulty now confronting the harbour authorities, and at the same time meet the known demands of the shipowners who send their ships to work the Port of Timaru. The Timaru Harbour Board, at its meeting yesterday made a progressive move when by a substantial majority the members endorsed the report of the special committee. The recommendations in the report speak for themselves, and should be diligently studied, with the proposed scheme in mind, by all who have at heart the interest of the whole of South Canterbury. It is a little difficult to appreciate the attitude of mind of the members of the Board who, while failing to expose the unsoundness of the proposals that were put before the Board yesterday, persistently cast their votes against the recommendations embodied in report. The explanation is a little difficult to discover, since the people who provide the money for harbour alterations and improvements have the final say. Hence the untenable attitude of the opponents of progress who are in effect attempting to withhold from the ratepayers the privilege of passing judgment on the policy being pursued by the Board. It is hard to believe that the people of South Canterbury are less progressive than they are in other districts, particularly in the North Island, in relation to harbour policy. For long years the need of adequate harbour facilities has been recognised by the people in town and country, and we refuse to accept the suggestion that present-day ratepayers are less progressive than their forefathers; indeed, we do not think there is any opposition to the following conclusions: (1) There was a definite anxiety amongst the masters and representatives of owners of overseas ships when entering and leaving the port, especially when conditions were not too favourable. <2> Although centralisation of shipping might not be an immediate fear, still the possibilities were there, and the longer the delay in improving the harbour, the more chance there was of the port, its owners, the ratepayers, suffering from such a happening. (3) Although most of the overseas ships could and did call at Timaru, they often had to carefully map out their routine, at times necessitating the retracing of their course owing to the limits of draught. By a substantial majority the Timaru Harbour Board. has decided it is imperative that immediate steps be taken to undertake constructional alterations to the port entrance in conjunction with more extensive dredging; moreover, the Board very wisely decided that the first step should he the appointment of a full-time engineer. General approval will be accorded the progressive move made by the Harbour Board yesterday, and we think we can say that the members of the Board are entitled to the highest commendation for the splendid work accomplished yesterday in making a commencement in tackling the problem of providing up-to-date facilities and adequate harbour accommodation at the Port of South Canterbury, which is really the most convenient gateway to world markets. WHO ARE THE SLAVES? It is deeply significant that while the dusky Ethiopian ruler confesses his willingness to put his faith in God as his people’s shield, and at the same time rely on the peace machinery of the League of Nations to compose the differences between two members of the League, the' Italian press is screaming from the housetops that “all peace compromises by wliomsover they are made, will be , rejected, because it is too late now to await a diplomatic solution. The knot can only be cut with the sword.” Moreover, the Italian Dictator persists in making reference to the slaves in Abyssinia, although in enlightened Italy slavery for the individual has reduced the Kalian people to the position of political serfs, whose minds and actions are State controlled, and the press is chained to the chariot wheels of arrogant Fascism.