CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2642, 6 October 1923, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting’ of the above was held in the Town Hall meeting-room on Thursday night. Those present were: —Mr Christie (in the ehair) and Messrs Osborne, Smith, Pearson, Trimmer and Admore and the secretary (Mr MeMnrrav). An apology for absence was received from the president, Air liornblow. On the motion of Air Smith, it. was decided to send a letter of appreciation to the chairman and members of the Horowhenua Electric Power Board for their very instructive address given recently in Eoxton. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read and dealt with as -follows: From the Poston Harbour Board re shed accommodation for Foxton freights, stating that in future the Wellington Harbour Board, will provide the to merchants and others for the sum of 2,/fi per ton, which charge includes labour, unloading vehicles, one wmek storage and trucking to the gangway provided loading vessel is berthed at No. 7 sited where the goods will be stored. —Received. From the same re excessive charges at port of Foxton, stating the question of .excessive sorting charges at the local port was commented upon at the meeting of the Foxton Harbour Roard at its last meeting and urging the Chamber to send delegates to interview the Alinisler for Railways with a view to having a reduction effected. Also furnishing the Chamber with a copy of the existing railway, charges which are as follows:—Wharfage 2/5, sorting 1/8, handling 1/2. total 5/3. The Harbour Board gets 1/2 out of this, and the Railway Department, 4/1. The Railway Department’s fee is made up as follows: —Checking 1/3, sorting 1/8, handling 1/2.—-Receiv-ed. „ '

From the Wellington Chamber re post-card advertising.—Decided to forward letter to the local Retailers' Association., From same enclosing copy of resolution passed hv that Chamber, and asking, for the Foxton Chamber's support in connection with same. The resolution read as follows: “This Chamber views with serious apprehension the action of the Government in adopting ..schemes which have for their object, the control, shipping and marketing of 1 the primary products of this conn-' try and that the Government be urged t.. eliminate all the. compulsory clauses in the proposed Dairy Produce Export Control Bill; further that this resolution be sent to the various Chambers of Commerce in New Zealand.” After some discussion it was de- " cided on the motion of ATessrs Smith add Christie that the letter be acknowledged stating that the matter 'does not concern this Chamber and that the Foxton Chamber is prepared to leave the matter to the dairy farmers who are taking a poll on the matter. From the Otaki Chamber re allocation of rep. football matches in the Horowhenua district. —Referred to the Sports' Association. A letter was received re Annual Conference of Chambers of Commerce to be held in Auckland next month and asking for any remits. — Decided 'that the Chamber be not represented but the following remit be forwarded: “That the Minister of Railways be asked to expedite the revision of railway tariffs.” Air AlcAlurray brought up thematter of the Chamber agitating for the railway coal for this district being sent via the Foxton port. He quoted pre-war freights showing the difference in cost, to the Government by sending coal via this port and to Wellington and then by rail to Palmerston North. He said that when the Foxton port was so jised some years ago it was the best x paying section of railway in New Zealand. For some reason or other the Government had ceased to send railway coal through this port and since they have taken that step the Foxton-Palmerston railway had not been a paying concern. Neither had the mines for that matter. He said that the transport of coal from the West Coast was tendered for and all the Government would have to do was to call fenders for the supply of coal through the Foxton port instead of sending it to Wellington. He said the river had never been better than it is at present. There was eleven feet of water on the bar at high tide. He considered that the Chamber had a'good case to bring before the Government. Mr. Pearson held that it would cost far less for the Government to ship their coal via Wellington. Ho said that the companies that contracted for the coal supply would not have*’suitable boats for the local port work. Alter a good deal of discussion it was finally decided that Mi- McMurray procure further data in connection with the matter and submit same to the next meeting. OFFER OF SUITABLE BOAT FOR LOCAL PORT WORK. Air McMurray submitted to the meeting an offer of a shallow draft iron boat at reasonable price. Full particulars were given of vessel. The boat is comparatively new ,having been built in 1905. Alter considering the details the meeting came to the conclusion that the offer was a remarkably good one and it was decided on the motion of Air Smith tha a letter be sent to the Harbour Board asking them to convene a meeting of the Levin, Palmerston North, Feilding, Pahiatua, Dannevirke and Woodviile Chambers of

Commerce and place this offer before them and stating that the local Chamber was prepared to cooperate with them in any such action.