CORRESPONDENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1927, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

RAILWAY ADVISORY BOARD. (To the Editor.) Sir, —I observe that at a recent meeting of the Greymouth Chamber of Commerce, the attitude of the Farmers’ Union towards the Railway Advisory Board was adversely criticised b-y some ol the Chamber memberes. The Chairman, Mr J.-McLean, is reported to have said that some of the Farmers' Union executive were “ pig-headed.” As the author of the motion kindly allow me the courtesy of your columns to explain the position as we of the Farmers’ Union view it. 'lhe Railway Department circularised interested bodies with regard to the setting up of Advisory Boards at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. For an obvious reason the Chambers of Commerce in those centres were selected to be the controlling bodies in the inauguration of the scheme, hut not necessarily “ governing ” bodies as Mr McLean claims. I think the Board will he in a position

to govern its own affairs. Advisory Committees were to be set up in the several districts, and it was suggested that the Chamber of Commerce, or some representative body In each district should convene a meeting of representative persons from all industries, Progress Leagues, and industrial organisations, sueh meeting to elect an Advisory Committee and that committee in its turn to elect its representative on the Board. Then we find the Grcrymouth Chamber of Commerce, at its recent meeting, setting up a committee consisting of five members nominated by itself—the eleven branches of the Farmers’ Union to have one member, and the people ol Hokitika and Reefton one member each! 1 wonder what the people of those districts think of this cool proceeding? It would seem as if Mr McLean or some nominee of the Greymeuth Chamber of Commerce wants to make a ‘‘ moral ” of the seat on the Board in Christchurch. It is up to the Farmers’ Union to see that it has at least equal representaton with a handful of “ business ” persons, who, in the past have posed as a Chamber of Commerce. not only on the Railway Board but also on the Harbour Board, etc. As the position as above outlined bad been previously explained to Mr McLean it may lie that he has been misreported ” as to whom he has stigmatised as “pig-headed.” Thanking you in anticipation, T am, etc-., JAMES MULCARE, Hon. Sec. Ngahere District * Branch N.Z.F.F. Ngahere, April 26th. \\ ith respect to this matter it has been decided so far as Hokitika is concerned to work through the Christchurch Advisory Board as being more convenient in view of the District Traffic Manager being at that centre —Ed. “ G ”