CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3778, 23 November 1907, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Proposal to Form a Harbour Board. A meeting of the Foxton Chamber of Commerce was held in the Secretary’s office on Thursday evening. Present: Messrs Morgan (chair), Dr Mandl, P. Hennessy, Tbos. Riramer, and RaeHoward (Secretary). Mr Hennessy stated that the time had arrived when some action should be taken with a view of forming a Harbour Board. He had recently gone into the matter, and he was of opinion that it could be financed. He would like to see the Chamber take the matter up; Since his interview with the Minister for Marine and the member for Palmerston, he was more than ever impressed with the feasibility of the scheme. . The Chairman said that at a previous meeting of the Chamber it had been decided to hold this subject over, and he did not think it wise to re-open it at this time. He had been deeply into the matter, and he thought it against the interests of shipping companies to form a Board, as he did not think it could be financed. He was very much opposed to the scheme, as were also shipping companies interested in the port.

Mr Hennessy said it was decided at a previous meeting to hold this subject over, but he' now thought the time was ripe to go fully into the matter and take the necessary steps re the formation of a Board.

Proposed by Dr Maudl, seconded by Mr Hennessy, That a letter be written to the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce, asking their co-operation in taking the initial steps to form a Harbour Board at the Foxton port, and consider the financial side of the question, and further, that the Palmerston Chamber of Commerce be respectfully invited to meet the Foxton Chamber, either at Foxton or Palmerston, at a date to be fixed by the Palmerston Chamber. —Carried. The Chairman said it would not be consistent on his part to occupy the chair while being tooth and nail opposed to the formation of a Board.

Mr Hennessy said if those were his feelings towards the scheme it were better that he should vacate the chair rather than oppose the interests of the port and district. He also expressed surprise at the Chairman's action. The Chairman said it was purely from personal motives that he opposed the scheme. He was not acting under instructions from his company. After making full investigations he was sure it was not in the best interests of Foxton to set up a Harbour Board.

Dr Mandl said if the Chairman was acting from a personal motive he should fall in with the views of the majority, and help rather than hinder the movement. The Chairman said that under the circumstances he thought it would be better to hand in his reresignation. If a board was constituted it would mean raising freight is per ton, by increased wharfage. This would not only be detrimental to the port but would also enable the railway to successfully complete with local shipping. Palmerston tradespeople would then land their goods per rail instead of per boat through the local port. Mr Rimmer flatly contradicted this statement, and quoted figures which proved that even with an additional is per ton wharfage, shippers would still benefit by several shillings per ton over, railage. Mr Hennessy said that provided the channel was kept in order, which would be the case if the Board was constituted, it would enable boats to carry considerably more cargo than was now the case. In support of his statement he instanced the case of one boat which was underloaded to the extent of 100 tons every trip. This meant a loss of per trip to the owners. Dr Mandl suggested that a conference of delegates from the different Chambers should meet t* further discuss the subject, say at Palmerston.

The resolution, on being put, was carried, the Chairman voting against it.

Proposed by Mr Hennessy, seconded by the Chairman, That the Secretary be instructed to wire to Mr John Stevens, asking if the £2OO promised by the Lands Department for tree planting at the Sanatorium, has been placed on the estimates; —Carried.