CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 12, 13 June 1874, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

A special general meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Present —Messis Dymock (chairman), Twentymnn, Connal, Laurie, Jenkins, Rcvans, Henderson, Allan, Gould, Coatcs, Jamieson, Davis, Robison, Lewis, M'Hroy, Lane, Nathan, Inglis, and J. A. Bird (lion, sec.) The Chairman said that that meeting had been called by special request of some members of the chamber for the consideration of the alteration of the railway tariff, and to discuss the proposed removal of the railway station with a view, if such were carried out, of suggesting a suitable position for a central station.

Mr Jameson, after some preliminary remarks, moved the following resolution : " That this Chamber, while approving of the principle of moderate charges for carriage by the railways, respectfully submit to the Government that the proposed reductions would be inappreciable and not calculated to increase tratlic. That the cost of freight presses most on those living at a considerable distance from Christchurch or the Port. That reduced rates for long distances would prove a great boon to the outlying districts, and encourage settlement ; that cheap passenger fares to these named neighbourhoods would tend to increase the revenue ; that the traffic between the Port and Christchurch, and vice versa, requires less reduction in the rates, than more promptitude and facilities for shipping and unshipping cargo." Most of them, Mr Jameson continued to say, were aware of the inconvenience experienced in reviving goods from vessels and the expense entailed was much greater than the expense of railway carriage. If the accommodation were made more complete than at present, a reduction of the tariff would not be so much required on the main line. Mr Jameson then read the proposed reductions, us stated in the Council the other evening, and said that the Chamber would see that the reductions were very small, and in some cases the rates had not been altered. Mr Robison seconded the resolution, and would like to have seen some mention made in it of the charge for parcels on the goods lines. The rate for parcels he considered very high, and altogether disproportionate, lie then gave his experience of the rates charged for parcels on the home lines, and the rule by which goods wee charged on those lines for long and short distances. He considered the charges here were ludicrously incommensurate with the charges that ought to be made, and compared the charges between ordinary goods :;t 6s Gd per ton, and sawn timber and wool. In all railways but here a classification existed with goods, which were divided according to risk, easy stowage, and value, and charged accordingly. Mr Geo. Gould quite agreed with the bearing of the resolution, and he was in hopes that when he heard that the Government were going to make a reduction that they would make one worthy of the name. The proposed reduction was so small that it could not, for instance, perceptibly affect the price of wheat, and was altogether so small that no increase of traffic could be expected to follow.

Mr Lane would merely observe that he did not agree with the latter part of the resolution as if the carriage were lowered from Lyttclton to Christchurch, and vice versa, business people here would be placed in the same favorable position as those in Lyttelton and Dunedin, and the public would benefit by it. Mr J. Inglis considered the resolution too vague to be of any effect. They should showsome better scheme than the Government had laid down, and one by which the traffic would be increased. He agreed with Mr Lane that it was desirable that theie should be a reduction of the rate between Lyttelton and' Christchurch. There was a theory abroad] that no profit should be made out of the railways. The cost of the Lyttelton line had been so great, and he believed it had been thought desirable to charge a rate which would go towards paying that cost. If there had been carriers to compete with that line, a reduction would have been made, and reductions had been made on the other lines where such competition existed. In order to encourage trade, facilities should be given at Christchurch and Lyttelton for receiving goods and sending them away. He should prefer to see some scheme laid down based on actual facts, as the resolution contained nothing practical in it. Many practical suggestions had emanated from that Chamber (certainly they had not had much experience on this question) ; but to make it available they ought to get some practical information, so as to make a recommendation worthy of emanating from that Chamber. Several other speakers followed, who considered the cost of transist between Lvttelton and Christchurch too high, and deprecated the cost of the tunnel being taken into consideration in the charge for goods on that line. Ultimately, Mr Connal moved as an amendment —" That this Chamber is of opinion that considerable reduction should be made on the present charges on the railways both on goods and passenger traffic, and that the committee consider the subject and report to the Chamber." Mr Henderson seconded the amendment. Mr Lane thought that it would be a great saving of time if a deputation were appointed to wait on the Government to urge the reduction of the rates from Christchurch to Lyttelton, as that would bo virtually reducing the rates on the whole line. They ought to endeavour to have Christchurch placed in the same position as Lyttelton. The amendment was put and carried, and Mr Jameson's resolution lost.

Mr Lane moved—" That a deputation of this chamber wait upon the Government to urge very considerable reduction in the charges, both on goods and passenger traffic in general, and especially between Lyttclton and Chri&tchurch, and vice versa.''

Mr Nathan seconded the resolution which was carried. The chairman said there was one other matter they had to consider, and that was the proposed removal of the passenger station.

Mr Nathan moved, " That this Chamber is of opiuiou tbat it is uutfesKablc that any

alteration in the position of the passenger station should be made unless to a central position in the city." He considered that vetted rights had accrued, and the value of property would be depreciated by the removal of the station. He would not oppose the removal if it were for the benefit of the public, iv to a central station, but rumour said tliat it was only to be shifted to the end of Colombo street; and if so the public would derive no benefit by that removal, and the progress of that portion of the city where the station was at present situated would be retarded. Mr Jenkins seconded the resolution.

Mr Robinson moved, and Mr Jameson seconded, an amendment, " That the consideration of this question bo postponed." The resolution on being put was carried, and the amendment lost.

Mr Nathan moved—" That a cony of the resolution be forwarded to the Provincial Secretary." The a'tention of the chairman was here called to the number of members present, and there not being a quorum, the meeting adjourned.