CENTRAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2207, 21 July 1914, Page 3

CENTRAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

THE WELLINGTON DOCK,

A meeting of the Council of the Wellington Central Chamber of Coumicreo was held yesterday afternoon. Tho president (Mr. C. M, Luke) presided, and there were also present: Messrs. A- Leigh Hunt, B. Hall, W. Smith, J. i. Atkins, and G. Winder. The Wellington Harbour Board forwarded a resolution passed by tho board, to the effect that it was not considered desirable to construct a dock in "Wellington at present. The eominunication came in reply to a resolution moved by Mr. Winder at tlie Central Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Leigh Hunt thought that the reply was unsatisfactory. The Harbour ward might not be contemplating the erection of a dock at present, but they should at least take the chamber into their confidence, as to their policy. :Mr. Winder was appointed to keep the matter in. view, with the idea of again bringing it np for consideration. Further consideration was given to the shrinkage in railway weights on produce. Mr. Hill pointed out that he lost six hundredweight on a small consignment 'of potatoes, and four hundredweight on another consignment. Mr. Leigh Hunt thought that the Island chambers, which were vitally interested, should take some united action towards a better condition of affairs. ;

Ihe matter was referred to the Shipping and Finance Committee. A letter was read from the Dannevirke Chamber of Commerce referring to the anomalous preferential railway tariff, in the South Island, as compared with ihe North Island.

■ It was considered tho instances quoted were the result of competitive water-carriage in the South Island making the rates less there. It was decided to reply in these terms. Mr. E, J. Fitzgibbon accepted a seat en the council, in place of Mr. William Jack.

Mr. Leigh Hunt referred to the conference of local bodies and chambers of commence conference, which was convened by' the Wellington Central Chamber. Ho said he was sure, good would result from the conference. The tone of the debate was very high indeed, and the local representatives sunk all parochial feelings. Mr. Luke as chairman worthily carried on the work of the conference. He .hoped the conference would be ah annual affair.,..

Air. Luke said that numbers of the delegates epoke to him on the success of the conference, many recognising that it was the most successful gathering of the kind they had ever attended. Personally he was sure the effect of the conference would be felt in Wellington. He hoped they v'ero on the eve of a new era in.the opening up of the province. ' The Government, could not undertake a better policy than in carrying out the railway' works, suggested b.y the conference The opening up of the land was one of the things to which most attention had to be given. • 'Mr. Hunt moved, and the meeting adopted, a vote of thanks to the .secretary (Mr. Petherick) for the manner in which he carried out 'the heavy work connected with the conference.

It was decided to hold the quarterly meeting ou August 10, at 8 p.m. ■' Mr. Leigh Hunt raised the question of the drift from the country to the town, and suggested that' steps should be taken to deal with the matter. Ho moved that the matter should be referred to a committee of the whole council, to report at next meeting. Mr. Luko said that the drift to the town seemed to be felt all the world over. He would like to see the drift to the country. Unless the drift was stopped it seemed they were going to suffer as a • The motion'was carried.