CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1983, 29 May 1919, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

QUARTERLY MEETING. The quarterly meeting of the Foxton Chamber of Commerce was held on Tuesday night. The President (Mr M. E. Perreau) occupied the chair, and there was a fair attendance of members. The President said that although the Chamber had only been in existence for three months the Council had got through a .fair amount of work. Rules to govern the Chamber had been drafted, and bad now been printed, and would be distributed to members as soon as the Chamber was registered. The matter of registration was well on the way. The question of water and drainage had been considered, and a letter forwarded to the Borough Council advising that body that they could rely on the support of the Chamber for any scheme that the Borough could reasonably undertake. The question of the exhorbitant sorting charges made by the Railway Department on goods coming through the port had been discussed, but it was considered that nothing could be done in this matter until the Harbour Board took over control of the wharf. The necessity for the prevention of sand- drift along the coast had been brought under the notice of the Government, and all local bodies and Chambers of Commerce in the district had been invited to cooperate in the matter, which they all agreed to do. Members of the Chamber would be asked to deal further with this matter at the present meeting. A number of smaller matters had been dealt with successfully by the Chamber, and altogether he considered- very useful work had been done. A letter was read from Mr A If. Fraser, resigning his position as a

member of the Council. —On the motion of Mr Chrystall, seconded by Mr Barr, the resignation was accepted with regret.

Mr E. Healey was unanimously elected to (ill the vacancy, on the motion of Messrs Chrystall and Wilson, Accounts amounting to 111 11s (id were passed for payment. ARTERIAL ROADS. The Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce submitted the following resolutions, and asked for the Chamber's co-operation: — “That the time has arrived when the Government should control the main arterial roads of the Dominion, with a view to the formation of permanent highways”; and “That all local bodies be asked to co-operate in the work of pulling the main arterial roads in such permanent condition in respect to the surface and width as to carry with safety the rapidly increasing number of power-driven vehicles.” Mr Chrystall moved, and Mi Barr seconded, that the Palmerston Nor(h,Chamber of Commerce be informed that this Chamber cannot support its remit. In speaking to the motion, M:i Chrystall said there was not the slightest hope of the Government taking it on —they would not improve the roads to compete with the railways. He maintained that Government control of the roads would he solely at the mercy of “political pull.” Not only that, but it would be impossible to get an equitable form of taxation for same. Mr Bryant said it was time that, something was done to jail the roads in proper order for motor traflie. He moved, as an amendment, that the Chamber support the Palmerston remit. This was seconded by Mr Christie.

Mr Nyo agreed (hat (lie (hue had arrived when (lie roads should be constructed for motor traflic, am* (lie Government should take this work on. Mr Barr said there was something in what Mr Cliryslall said. “Political puli’ would no doubt be introduced.

Mr Bryant said that to get anything done by the Government they had to bo pushed, and the more pressure that was brought to bear the more., chance there was of getting them to undertake the work.

Mr Cliryslall said that the local bodies had power to borrow money for road construction, and as the local bodies were conversant with local conditions and local requirements they were better lifted to do I lie. work, and would be able to get it done more economically than the Government could. The amendment was carried. ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

A circular letter was read from the Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce, suggesting that now tlie

war was over the annual conferences of representatives of Chambers in the Wellington Province be resumed, and asking for the Foxton Chamber’s opinion, and suggestion as lo dale, and also any remits they desired brought forward for consideration.

It was decided to support the bolding of a conference this year, and to suggest that same be held at the same lime as the municipal conference.

Messrs Pcrrcaii, Chrystall and Moorhousc were appointed as Ihe Chamber’s delegate* a I the conference.

MAIN TRUNK CONNECTION. A letter \Vas received from the Acting-District Traffic Manager, Wanganui, in reply to the Chamber’s request that arrangements should be made for the afternoon train from Foxton lo connect with the Main Trunk express, stating that it was not possible to accede to the request at present, but that the matter would receive due considera-

tion when the time-table was being revised.

Mr Fume, who had previously moved in this matter, said the reply was not satisfactory. The existing time-table whereby passengers from Foxton were compelled, to put in almost seven hours in Palmerston N. waiting for the Main Trunk express was most inconvenient, and was a great hardship on parents travelling with children. By the Foxton train leaving a little earlier, or being speeded up, the connection could be made. He moved that the District Traffic Manager be wi’itten to ami informed that there is a strong feeling in the town and district that a change is necessary, and that this Chamber strongly urges that the alteration asked for be made.

In,seconding the motion, Mr Barr said that Foxton was much to blame for the present unsatisfactory arrangement, as they had practically left the suggesting of a suitable time-table to Palmerston North. He thought it would be very difficult to get it altered. The motion was carried. FIRE BRIGADE. Mr A. N. Smith brought up the question of the formation of a volunteer fire brigade, Foxton was badly in need of some moans of (Ire-fighting, and he suggested the Chamber approach the Borough Council and sec if something could be done.

Tire President agreed that some fire-fighting appliances were badly needed.

Mr J. "Wilson said that no doubt an engine suitable for our requirements could be obtained from one of (he cities whore the most up-to-date appliances had since been installed. He bad bad experience in fire brigade work, and fell sure that if fire-fighting appliances were obtained there would be no difficulty in getting a fire brigade together.

Mr Smith moved, and Mr Wilson seconded, that the Borough Council be written to and urged to take stops towards obtaining tire-fight - mg appliances, and the formation of a fire brigade, ft was further decided on (he motion of Mr Ftirrio, seconded by Mr Christie, that it he a recommendation from this Chamber to the Borough Council to invite Mr Hugo, superintendent of Fire Brigades, to visit Foxton and report on the most suitable tire prevention scheme for the borough.