THE NAPIER HARBOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2430, 19 February 1909, Page 4

THE NAPIER HARBOR.

It is evident that the advocates for the extension of the breakwater at Napier aro in no wise discouraged by the action of the ratepayers in refusing to sanction the loan of £200,000 which was submitted to them at a poll the other day. They have already commenced a campaign, having for its object the reversal of the recent decision and at a public meeting held on Monday the first shots in the fight were fired. The first resolution dealt with the three-fifths majority, that anomaly whereby it is possiblo for a minority to prevail against the wish of a majority. It is hard to conceive the grounds upon which this undemocratic condition can be justified and Parliament will quite likely consent to the amendment that is being asked for. Tho next resolution dealt with the constitution of Harbor Boards, and it was decided to ask that members should be elected “on a popular franchise.” This latter term is somewhat vague. The discussion which ensued suggested that the mover intended that members of Harbor Boards should be elected directly by the people under the principle of one person one vote. The fact was not made quite clear and it is more than likely that Mr- Vigor Brown and his friends would be satisfied with a change less radical than that suggested. There is no doubt that the system of indirect/ representation which exists in regard to many of our public bodies does not work out with uniform success. Where a representative is elected directly by the voters no matter whether the franchise be broad or narrow he can be quickly brought to book if he neglects his duties, but where some other body comes in between, the procedure becomes so complicated that the member may abuse his trust to an unwarrantable degree and still retain his position. The public may very properly bo dissatisfied with the attitude of a Harbor Board member, but if lie is the nominee of a County Council it is very difficult to shift him. When tho County Council election comes round the voters are possibly giving no consideration to harbor matters, and it is not strange, therefore, if the offending member regains his seat and is again selected by his colleagues to serve on the Harbor Board. Evidently this kind of tiling is blamed by the Napier folk for some of their harbor troubles and they are seeking relief in legislative action. The franchise, however, is a different matter, and any amendment would have to be very carefully considered before a fresh body of voters were admitted, otherwise the alteration might saddle ratepayers with an unfair responsibility. A loan might be passed which the ratepayers would have to maintain while those who assisted to pass it and to elect the members could go away to contribute their revenue in another source. These points are worthy of close consideration for, if any change is made by Parliament, it will naturally be effective throughout tho Dominion. Meantime Mr VigorBrown, as Chairman of the Napier Board, declares emphatically that the work of extending the breakwater will in no wise cease because of the loan proposals being lost. Somewhat dramatically lie declared that such a work could not he stopped under any circumstances. Presumably he means that tlio Board will proceed with its task as rapidly as payment out of revenue will admit, and seek the earliest possible opportunity to again approach the ratepayers. This attitude will come as a surprise to many of onr local friends who have always quoted Napier’s experience as the final word against our own proposed harbor. It is evident that those in authority are satisfied with tho prospects of the Napier breakwater, and are prepared to> extend the sea wall and also the wharfage accommodation as fast as means will permit. Tho justification of this policy is indicated in the constantly increasing business which is carried on at the breakwater as, against that transacted at the Port.