The Waikato Argus [PUBLISHED DAILY.] A Guaranteed Circulation of over 8500 Wcekly. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1909.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXVII, Issue 4230, 23 October 1909, Page 2

The Waikato Argus [PUBLISHED DAILY.] A Guaranteed Circulation of over 8500 Wcekly. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1909.

At: the meeting of the Hamilton Borough Cuncil last evening a letter was read from the local Chamber of Commerce calling attention fo the proposal to strike “Waipa” from the list of districts which it is proposed, under the Bill to be introduced this session, shall have representation on the Auckland Harbour Board. The chambecr asked the borough council to join in protesting against this deletion—a. request which it is needless to say the council conceded. Hitherto the fanning communities, which use a very large proportion of the goods imported to the Dominion, and provide the products of the soil, which constitute the greater proportion of the Dominion’s exports, is more interested in the proper management of the harbour than are merchants, citizens, and suburban residents. If a harbour board is properly managed the dues are so fixed and such regulations made as will attract shipping, and thus ensure as low freights as possible to importers and exporters alike. The interest on borrowed money, the cost of maintenance, and necessary improvements and additions must of course be met by dues levied on the shipping which loads and discharges at the wharves provided. If dues are higher than those prevailing at any competing port freights are heavier, and those who use the port are placed at a disadvantage in competing in the world’s markets. The producer i the sulferer. The merchant when purchasing takes the higher port dues and freights into consideration, and in consequence gives less for the farmers’ produce, and charges more for the goods he imports for his use. The farmer, therefore, is caught all ways. This is the age of commercialism, with the result that an undue proportion of population is collected in the towns. So much is this the case, that those who look ahead feel some anxiety that, if matters remain as they are, the day is not very far distant when there will be a scarcity of food supply. That is the case already in some of the countries of Europe. Until this scarcity prevails, all foodproducing countries will be competitors for the trade of these countries. Geographically wc are at a disadvantage which can only be overcome by economical administration by such bodies as harbour boards and rail' ways. It is the farmer who is most interested in harbour management, and this being so it is fully demonstrated that the farming community should be represented on the harbour boards.