COMMERCE TRAIN.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5476, 18 September 1929, Page 2

COMMERCE TRAIN.

PAEROA AND PLAINS AS HOSTS. HEARTY WELCOME ASSURED. When a letter from the Auckland Chamber of Commerce dealing with the itinerary of its proposed commerce train in November came before the resurrected Paeroa Chamber of Commerce last night it was unanimously decided to co-operate with the Paeroa Borough Council and the Hauraki Plains County Council to greet the visitors and see to their entertainment while in Paeroa.

After reading the letter Mr P. Williams, president, said he thought that the Chamber should co-operate with the two local governing bodies. It would be an excellent opportunity for the visitors to go over the proposed route of the Paeroa-Pokeno railway, and would be of advantage to Paeroa. Mr D. Leach thought that the Chamber should most certainly do all it possibly could in the matter. The expected visitors were big forces in the business world of Auckland, and Paeroa would probably feel the need of their active assistance before long in regard to the projected railway. Politics were in the melting-pot, and therefore the more Paeroa got in touch with strong bodies in Auckland the better it would be, and in other ways as well. Especially would the visit be of advantage from the points of view of the exchanging of information, the stating of aims, and the opportunity of giving the visiting business men an idea of what Paeroa wanted, so as to gain their co-opera-tion.

Mr W. Marshall stated that he understood from an official of the Railways Department that the probable date of the visit to Paeroa would be November 16, the party to consist of not more than 75. There was a possibility of the general manager of the railways also being one of the party. They were scheduled to leave Pokeno at 9 a.m. for a tour of inspection by motor-car along the projected line, and with a short stop at Ngatea were timed to arrive in Paeroa at 12 noon. The Pokeno Chamber of Commerce was offering the use of at least six cars, and the Hauraki Plains County Council, which at its last meeting had passed a resolution to co-operate with the Paeroa Borough Council in the matter, would supply some. He was glad to say that during the day 12 Paeroa residents had volunteered the use of their cars, so no doubt the required number would be forthcoming. Continuing, Mr Marshall said that lunch would be held at Paeroa. At this function also the Hauraki Plains County Council would co-operate with the Paeroa Borough Council. That in itself would be a pleasurable and outstanding event, as it would be the first time that the two bodies would act as joint hosts since the Hauraki Plains County was constituted. Mr Marshall suggested that this function might perhaps be made a little out of the ordinary. He Suggested an al fresco lunch being held on the top of Primrose Hill. It would have a better appeal than in an hotel. There, too, the visitors could appropriately see the whole of Paeroa and a great deal of the surrounding country. The voluntary offer he had received that day of motor-cars, continued the speaker, indicated the fact that the business people of Paeroa were anxious to act as hosts in a manner’ in keeping with Paeroa’s reputation. It was unfortunate that a report had gained credence that Paeroa was inhospitable ; thht was contrary to fact. Certain statements had been made at a meeting of the Borough Council which would have been best left unsaid. It was a great pity that the report of what occurred had been published in the provincial Press. Despite the remarks made at the council meeting the council had unanimously decided .to welcome the visitors, and a committee had actually been set up then and there to go into arrangements. This fact the local paper had reported, but the provincial Press had omitted it, giving an entirely erroneous and harmful impression. At the meeting in question there was no animosity ; it was just a matter of individual opinions. It really showed that the matter was for commercial people and not for a local body. Continuing, Mr Marshall said that the report published of the meeting was no doubt a blessing in disguise. As a direct result of it the Chamber had been restarted, and now it was opportune to go right on with business.

Mr Williams agreed that it was up to the Chamber to co-operate with the two local bodies mentioned. The matter should be dealt with by the executive committee in such a manner as to show the Auckland Chamber of Commerce that Paeroa consisted of live people. Paeroa gained from Auckland and Auckland gained from Paeroa.

It was decided that the executive committee deal with the whole subject at an early date and report at the next meeting.