CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2694, 25 November 1882, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The quarterly general meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon, jat three o'clock. Present —Mr W. Devenish Meares (president), Hon. E. Richardson, Hon. J. T. Peacock, Messrs W. Chrystall, J. D. Macpherson, R. D. Thomas, Jenkins, A. Cuff, Cook, John Cameron, J. E. Pounds, T. Pavitt, S. Manning, John Anderson, P. Cunningham, J. Gould, H. A. Watt, Scott, G. G. Stead, Jamieson, Goss, F. E. Wright, E. Williams, Aiken, and T. S. Weston. The first business was the election of new members, and Messrs R. W. England and T. O. Kelsey were balloted for and elected.

The President delivered a short opening address. As they were all aware trade was at present not very brisk, but it should be borne in mind that this was not a busy season of the year. However, bills had been met, and there had been few losses, and, as shearing was about to commence, a. considerable improvement in general business might reasonably be anticipated. AVith respect to the harvest he had no doubt it would be an excellent one, both as regarded quantity and quality, if it were not interfered with by nor'-westers. The cereal yield of the world had been very high, and the returns showed a considerable increase over the production of the previous year. Therefore it could not be expected that prices would be high; but this would be compensated for by the good yield that was anticipated. The amended railway tariff was on the table. He read a number of figures showing the extent of the reductions made. The supply of railway rolling stock had not kept pace with the opening of new lines and the increased traffic. There was little doubt but that the anticipated good yield from the coming harvest and the decrease in rates would during the coming season have the effect of causing a considerably increased amount of grain to be carried by rail. He was probably under the mark in estimating an increased haulage for the railway of 100,000 tons more than last year. Making every allowance for the exertions of the railway officials the department would hardly be able to overtake this, and there would probably bo a block as in previous years. He suggested that representations should be made to the Government to spend say from £IOO,OOO to £150,000 on increasing the railway rolling stock and appliances. The passenger accommodation was also insufficient, and it frequently happened that jiassengers could not get scats in first class carriages, while on holidays it was impossible to get excursion trains put on. He might mention with regard to the railway tariff that the Government proposed to make an extra charge of a sixth, and to run all risks. Ho was inclined to think that charge was rather heavy. There was one thing at which they should all be very much gratified, and that was that the Now Zealand Shipping Company had decided to establish a direct steam service with Great Britain. He understood that the company proposed to build six boats of about 4000 tons each, and to undertake a monthly service. It was very satisfactory to find a local company prepared to undertake such a large and important work, and he trusted they would obtain the Government subsidy. If the steamers made the voyage in forty-five days, as it was proposed, the line would have a most important effect on the future commercial prospects of the colony. With regard to the question of the proposed new building, since the last meeting the committee had had two plans before it, and after giving a great deal of consideration to the matter, they had passed this resolution :■—" That the committee considers it inexpedient to proceed with the erection of a building for the Chamber of Commerce at present." That was carried by a majority of 7to 2. The matter now remained in the hands of the Chamber. On the motion of Mr Cuff, seconded by Mr John Anderson, the Chamber approved of the resolution passed by the committee.

The President said the next subject for consideration was the East and West Coast railway. The deputation appointed by the Chamber came away from Mr Walter Johnston perfectly satisfied with the interview. But the Royal Commission had since stated that they had no power to report on a line of railway to the West Coast. Under these circumstances he had addressed the following telegram to Mr Johnston in Dunedin : —" I respectfully draw yoivr attention to the fact that the chairman of the Railway Commission informed a deputation from the Railway League that the Commissioners had no power under their commission to report on anything but lines going northward from Canterbury, and that any West Coast line properly so called, did not come within the terms of their commission. Seeing that the Commissioners so intei'pret their instructions will the Government take immediate steps to alter the terms of the commission so as to indicate clearly to the Commissioners the views of the Government, as per your statement to the deputation of the Chamber of Commerce, that the Commissioners had full power to report on the route via Amuri and Reefton as one of the main trunk lines. Please before Friday afternoon, as quarterly meeting of Chamber on that day." To that he received the following reply :—" I am afraid that I do not quite understand your telegram, even after reference to the report of interview with the Chamber of Commerce. I believe that the terms of the Commission cover the consideration of the route for the main line northward via Amuri, Reefton, and Tophouse in like manner as a direct route via Amuri and Tophouse or the East Coast route. The Government has expressed in the Public Works Statement its intention of completing the line between Reefton and Grey mouth, and £ 100,000 is allocated for this work." On receipt of this he sent another message to Mr Johnston as follows :—" Message received. The chairman of the Railway Commissioners has stated publicly that the terms of their Commission will not allow them to report on the AinuriReei'ton or West Coast line, and you have stated that the Commissioners have power to report on that line. I wished to know whether under these peculiar circumstances the Government would alter or extend the Commission so as to xuake clear to members of it the views of the Government as expressed by yourself,_ and apparently not understood by Commissioners." He would be glad to hear the opinion of the Chamber on the matter. Mr Richardson pointed out that the Commission had expressed themselves at liberty to consider a route to Cook's Strait, with a deviation to the west of the main range, and he understood they were going to inquire into the merits of that line. Mr Thomas understood that the Commissioners declined to take into account the collateral advantages which would accrue to Canterbury or Westland, and that being so they would of course report in favor of the most direct route. Mr Stead thought it was shelving the question for Mr Johnston to say that if via Keefton and Tophouse to Nelson was a direct line North, then the Commissioners could report upon it, whe.i he knew very well that it was not a direct route North. Mr Pavitt said the Commissioners had stated distinctly that they could not entertain a route going so far West ■ Reefton.

Mr Chrystall said that was exactly what he understood. The chairman did say they would consider a line going on the west side of the range, but the deputation did not think the line indicated would be a West Coast railway, because it did not touch any point from which traffic would come.

Mr Meares did not think it would be necessary for the Chamber to pass any resolution on the subject. The committee had done all they could, and it would be for the Canterbury members to deal with the question in Parliament. The report of the Commission would not necessarily be final.

Mr Richardson thought the Chamber I should ask for the appointment of a new i Commission, and if it were declined, the Chamber and the Railway League should collect the information themselves, and place it in the hands of the Canterbury members. It would not do to let the matter drop. Mr Pavitt hoped the Chamber would continue to bring the matter before the Government. He referred to the action taken by the people of Otago in regard to their Central railway. If the Government would not give them a Commission, it would be their duty to appoint one themselves, and as Otago had succeeded by bringing political influence to bear, Canterbury should do the same. _Mr Snott said Canterbury could not derive any benefit from a line from Amuri via Reefton, as it would pass through a country which would yield neither coal nor timber traffic.

Mr Pavitt said they were fully alive to the necessity of having the support of the whole of Westland, and if Reefton would not suit, some other route over the ranges could be obtained which would suit the requirements of all parts of the West Coast. Mr Richardson moved the following resolution :*' That this Chamber, having learned that the Railway Commissioners have stated that the terms of their commission preclude them from reporting upon the question of the best route for a railway to connect Canterbury with the West Coast, respectfully request the Government to amend the powers of the present commission or appoint another commission to report upon that subject before the next meeting of the General Assembly."

Mr Stead seconded the resolution, which was put after some discussion and carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr Peacock it was decided to return the money advanced on debentures for the purpose of the proposed new building. The Chamber then adjourned.