THE MUNICIPAL FRANCHISE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2450, 15 March 1909, Page 5

THE MUNICIPAL FRANCHISE

CONSTITUTION OF GISBORNE HARBOR BOARD. DISCUSSED BY”TRADES COUNCIL. At the monthly meeting- of the East Coast Trades and Labor Council on Saturday evening there was .a large attendance of delegates. Amongst the business were three motions of which Mr. W. Maddison had given notice, -all dealing with the municipal and county franchise. / Mr. Maddison urged the abolition of Government nominees on the Harbor Board, and proposed the following motion: “That this meeting urge the Government to make some change in the constitution of the Gisborne Harbor Board with a view of placing greater representation in the hands of the people, who, as consumers, are practically the only taxpayers, and are at present represented by four elective members only, whilst the Government are represented by three nominees, two of whom arc opposed to progress; and it is further considered by this meeting that the present constitution of the Board is opposed to the interests of the people and the progress of the district, and is distinctly subservient to class interests.” Mr. S. Old seconded the motion' pro forma. Mr. T. B. Sweet objected to the clause stating that two of the Government nominees were non-progressive. Such a statement was only a matter of opinion-—not -a statement of fact. He suggested that that paragraph be withdrawn. The Council should deal solely with the principle of nominees. Mr. J. TI. Hall considered the motion far too cumbersome. He moved as an amendment: “That this Council urge the Government to amend the constitution of the Gisborne Harbor Board by providing for its full representation by popular vote.” The amendment was seconded by .Mr. T. B. Sweet. In regard to the principle of the mayor of the town holding a seat on the HArbor Board by virtue ol his office, Mr. Sweet contended that the election of a mayor was never determined by his views on harbor questions, bnt was determined on a candidate’s personal fitness to occupy the mayoral chair. The President considered that the •amendment put the matter mere concisely than the motion, but both were similar in meaning. On being put- to the meeting the amendment was carried. Mr. Maddison then brought up the subject of voting on loan proposals, and moved': “That owing to the local, conditions in connection with the Gisborne Harbor Board being on different lines t-o other harbor districts, and also to the fact that the revenue of this Board (derived chiefly from wharfages and as a direct tax upon the consumer) being sufficient to meet all requirements, oven to the construction of an outer harbor, .without the necessity of establishing a permanent rate, this meeting would urge unon the Government the justice of extending the harbor franchise on any loan proposals to all adult consumers, so that all contributors to harbor revenue may be placed.- upon an equal footing, and may receive representation according to taxation.” The proposition was seconded by Mr. Catton, opposed by Mr. Sweet, and supported by Mr. "Williams. The President considered the principle at stake should not-be merely confined to the- Harbor Board, but extended t-o loan proposals in the borough and county. Mr. Maddison explained that the matters were not entirely similar. In the case of the Harbor Board there were no ratepayers, but all paid through wharfages. He would be quite prepared to bring forward resolutions re voting on borough and county loans at next meeting. Mr. Hall also thought the principle should be considered as applied to all district loans. He moved an amendment as follows: “This Council urges the Government to extend the franchise on all loan proposals to those eligible to be on the borough electoral roll.” Mr. Old seconded the amendment.

The amendment was lost on division. The- President stated he would move an amendment to Air. Maddison’s motion. He objected to the statement that the construction of an outer harbor could be -accomplished without the csablishment of a rate. It was a matter of opinion, not a question of fact. He also objected to the wording of the last clause of the motion. After further discussion, Air. Maddison agreed to amend his motion in accordance with the President’s suggestion, the motion then reading as follows: “That owing to_ the ■ Iqcal conditions in connection with tho Gisborne Harbor Board being on different lines to other harbor districts, and also to the fact that the revenue of this Board (derived chiefly from wharfages and as a direct tax upon the consumer) being sufficient to meet all requirements, this meeting would urge upon the Government the justice of extending the harbor franchise on any loan proposal to all adult consumers, viz., all adults on the parliamentary electoral roll.” The amended motion was then put and carried unanimously. It was considered that the question in Mr. Maddison’s third notice of motion was covered by the first motion passed, and the notice was accordingly withdrawn.