ON TRAINS INTO TOWN.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1878, 11 October 1913, Page 13

ON TRAINS INTO TOWN.

AND RAILWAY TARIFFS. CENTRAL' COMMERCE OHAMBER. Central Chamber of Commorco met last evening. Mr. A. Leigh Hunt presided, and there were also present: Messro. H. A. Fox, W. Jaok, G. Winder, F. Townsend, W, Smith, James Reid, and R. Hall. Mr. W. Jaok and Mr. A'. Leigh Hunt wore appointwl a sub-committee to go into (the Articles of Association prior to registration. Mr. Jack moved: "That the following matters bo referred to the City and Suburban Railways Improvement Committee to considor: (1) Central railway station; (2) ■ the running the Manar watu passenger trains through to Lambton Station; and (8) a goods shed at To Aro." Mr. Jack thought that Wellington's new railway station should be somewhere near the centre of the city. At present tho main stations were inconveniently placed for tho majority of oitizens. Hq was also of opinion that running tho Manawatu trains to Lambton Station was a matter that called for action by tho Chamber. Tho Railway Department had taken up the position that this was impracticable, but members knew that everything which had to be done could be done, and this was ono of the. things whicn had to be done. Tho Minister had already beon approachod on the subject, but had apparently allowed hinißelf to bo influenced by the Departmental officers. It was a well-known fact that there had beon actual traffio between Lambton and Manawatu Stations and there was no insurmountable difficulty if tho Minister chose to say that the ohango which thoy gought should bo carried into offoot. As for tho goods shed at To Aro, both they and the jiublic knew that it was necessary, and no doubt tho committee to which lie proposed to refer these matters would arrange a deputation to tho Minister. Mr. Smith, in seconding the motion, drew attention to the state of the suburban service on tho Manawatu railway. Mr. Townsend thought the motion a good ono. If they could achieve success it would stamp the Chamber as being of some use. Speaking in regard to tho To Aro goods shed, ho said that the reason why they had not achieved anything so far was that tho Departmental officers wero against him. Tho Minister himself was in sympathy with them. Ho folt sure, however, that tho now General Manager would see that tho Departmental officers were not allowed to stand in tho way of this improvement. Mr. Fox expressed tha opinion that, if a strong case was mudo out, something would bo done. Mr. lleid hoped that all the forces in the Chamber and those outsido would be brought to bear to bring about the desired changes. Mr. Winder also supported tha motion.

The chairman stated that he was in support of all threo matters mentioned in tho motion. He thought that the railway arrangements here woro an absolute disgrace to the community. The motion was carried nom con. Railway Tariffs. The chairman moved!: —"That the Minister of Railways bo approached and urged to revise, at an early date, the classification of the railway tariff, which, in . tho opinion of this Chamber, contains many anomaliosj (2) that tho Minister be requested to afford this Chambor an opportunity of laying its views before tho Revision Committeo; (3) that this Chamber is entirely opposed to the principle adopted by the present tariff of using tho railway rato3 for protection purposes, bolicving that once foroign goods have paid Customs duty and Deon admitted into the country, then no further impost should bis placed upon them in the way of penal railway rates." Mr. Reid seconded. It was deoided to refer tho whole question to a upecial committeo to report to tho council, the committeo to consist of ■ Messrs. Jack, Hall, Townsend, and the mover,' Othor Business. Tho question of federation of the various chambers of oommerco was held over. Mr. Winder gave nolloe to move at tho next meeting :—"That this oouncil approach the Harbour Board and obtain an expression of opinion with regard to a. dock for Wellington. The chairman moved that the opinion of Mr. C. P. Skerrett on Bills of Lading be referred to tho Shipping and Insurance Committee. This was seconded by Mr. Smith and carried.