CANTERBURY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 August 1923, Page 1

CANTERBURY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNUAL .MEETING

CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. JO

The annual meeting of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce was held last evening, the vice-president, Mr S. Paterson, in the chair. The mooting, which was preceded by a dinner, was attended by a large gathering of infinite rs. The annual report included the following; references to Westland:— Y EAR ’ S AC HI EV EAI ENTs. The most commercially significant achievement, of the past year in Canterbury was the completion of the Otirn Tunnel. This great project, il it was not originally initiated by the chamber (and he was not quite clear on that point ~ had at least ever since its initiation been fostered and worked for by the ’chamber with steadfastness, with untiring zeal and energy, and with unwavering faith. The chamber did take, and rightly took credit, "or a not inconsiderable share in the successful accomplishment of the marriage of Westland to Canterbury. The significance of this accomplishment had hardly yet dawned on the commercial community. Ho felt sure that when il was fully grasped it would be realised that this was one of the greatest commercial opportunities that has ever come to Canterbury.

During the past year a small start hail been made on the work of establishing closer relations with kindred bodies in the province. The matter of ro-relating file efforts and energies of all these bodies, of making the Chamber completely representative of every branch of industry and commerce, ami of thus enabling the chandler to voice the opinions and further the interests of iho whole commercial community, was a matter which the president had very much at heart. He initiated the movement in a remit which was considered and adopted by the Associated Chambers of Commerce at its last conference. The principle had been approved at a conference of representatives of the various bodies in Canterbury, and a committee had been set up to put forward a concrete proposal. He regretted that hut little progress had been made with the plans for providing the chamber with a permanent home. THE COAIING YEAR. 'Flic chief items in the programme of the chamber for the coining year included the following:— The fostering in every possible way of trade between Canterbury and Westland. One of the biggest tactors in the promotion of this trade would I».‘ the adjustment, if necessary, of railway rates to compete with sea freight. It was vital to the success of tlie railway uniting Canterbury and Westland that not a single ton of back freight from here to the AA est Coast should go past tlie railway, and it would lx' the business of ihe Chamber to consult, advise and co-operate with (he Railway Department to that end. Thev must promote hv every means in their power the improvement of the main highways. .Motor traction, although still in its infancy in New Zealand, had come, and has come to stay and until tlie province was furnished throughout its length and breadth with roads suitable for rapid transit of motor vehicles they would not be equipped to play their full and proper part in the trade and commerce of the Dominion .

OFFICERS ELECTED. The following officers were elected • President, Air E, 11. Wylcs; vice-pre-sident, Air Stronach Paterson; council, .Messrs AY. 11. Price, AY. Al. Shantl, A. \Y. Jamieson, J. G. Herilman, P. 11. Harris, AY. E. Sopor, P. Davidson, VY. Al. Tiers, 11. Elliott, Cyrus .1 .R. Williams, H. 11. Smith, 11. Holland, .1. li, Alii.hell, A. L. Alaefarlam*. F. E, Jones. W. Bottroll, C. P. Agar, \V. Machin, A. G. Henderson and S. A. Orchard. Auditors —Alcssrs K . 11. Labat t and ,). Mb K. Lawrence. EAST AND WEST.

In proposing the toast oi "The l idled provinces of Canterbury and AYest. - luttd,” Mr IL J. Alaniuer said lw had taken a keen interest In the M est Coast ami had always held an optimistic view of it- economic ami commercial future, once the rnilawy linked up: the East and West Coasts. It was our tintv to strike west to assist our friends on the AYest Const to fulfil their destiny, and to help to open up their raw materials, emll. timber and other products. Now that communica-

tion between the coast- was accomplished there wa- no need for our ir.cii tu go north. The opportunities were to hand in the west, where large tracts ol virgin -oil were waiting for men ol grit, and courage to cultivate them. The .Minister of Railways, in the House made a vorv emphatic statement, it the effect that now communication with the Coa-t was established ii would he necessary to link up the valuable Westport coal mines with tho rail way system of the East Coast of the South Island, and to complete the rail way between WesLport and the j million as soon as possible so that these

valuable assets might be utilised. Thiwas a hlati-inoiit of which they heartily approved. No! a tenth part of the people of Canterbury fully realised wlmt the linking tip hy the railways meant to them, for in time the bulk of this district would he taken up and itHats and hillsides cultivated. That this country in the past had been Vive preserve of Wellington, and now it was for Canterbury to realise 'what had been given to It through l he radway. and it will be to their disgrace if they neglect so golden ail opportunity. The loniteeting link between the East and West Coast would lie for the general prosperity of hot.lt provinces, exerting a great eeouemie am 1 widening inHuoncf? throughout New Zealand, and to the two provinces in particular. THE WEST COAST VIE AY. The Hon IT. L. Michel, in reply said there was not yet a full realisation of what the completion of the tunnel meant to Canterbury and Westland. The benefit to Westland would

be greater, he thought, than to Canterbury, for the isolation of the West Coast had'been very great. The people of the Coast had discovered, however, that there were other assets than gold on the AYest Coast. The railway connecting east and we-t would. he thought, bring in a great deal more revenue than was anticipated. Already the coal and timber traffic totalled 3500 tons a week. He was sure that the population of the AA'e.-t Coast would steadily increase. The trade to the West Coast should lie fostered. There would he many empty trunks to go hack to the west. He believed that a revision of the tariff’ should he made to remedy this. The saving now on chaff as compared with sett carriage was i'S a truck. But there were other lines of goods where the position was the opposite, and the Railway Department should amend it- tariff in respect to these lines in order to secure this trade. He urged that Canterbury should give its support to AYest him! in the completion of its railway system.