FOXTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3839, 1 September 1928, Page 2

FOXTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Foxton Chamber of Commerce was held in the Presbyterian Schoolroom last evening, presided over by Mr. J. K. Hornblow. (President). There were also present: Messrs S. Mattar, Garbett, D. Christie, D. "R. Barron, F. €'. Raikes, John Ross, G. Smith, M. E. Perreau, I Corn and the secretary (Mr. R. Hornblow). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs A. Scott and Hewitt. CORRESPONDENCE was read and dealt with as follows : From the New Zealand Tourist League, enclosing plan of suggested lay-out for camps for motorists. — Received. From the Publicity Department N.Z.R., enclosing circular re cruising by rail and special cars for private parties. —Received. Department to be* congratulated on its enterprise. From same, re South Island night express. —Received. From the Associated Chambers, enclosing copy of minutes of Executive meeting.—Received. From same, notifying that the annual conference will be held in Wellington on October 12th and 15th. —Mr. F. C. Raikes appointed delegate. From the Hastings Chamber, re preservation of Native bush, thanking the Chamber for its support and forwarding two copies of plan and report of committee relative to the area. —Decided to forward one plan to the member for the district with a request that he support the application when it comes before the House.

SUPPORTING BRITISH INDUSTRIES. A letter was received from the British (V.K.) Manufacturers’ Association of New Zealand, asking for the Chamber’s support in arranging a representative committee in Foxton for the inauguration of an annual campaign to further the supporting of British industries. Mr. M. E. Perreau said the suggestion was an excellent one and should be heartily supported by the Chamber as a whole. . It was decided that the Chamber as a body co-operate in any way possible. SUGGESTED REDUCTION IN STAMP DUTY. The Wanganui Chamber wrote asking for support in connection with a remit to the next conference suggesting a reduction of Id in regard to the stamp duty on cheques and receipts. Mr. G. F. Smith said the suggestion was an excellent one. He was of opinion the time was opportune for a reduction in the stamp duty on cheques and receipts. It was decided to support the remit.

PROPAGANDA FROM OVERSEAS. A letter was received from the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York, enclosing a pamphlet entitled “List of Chambers of Commerce of the World exclusive of the United States,” and requesting information re the Chamber, population of Foxton, etc., for the next publication. Mr. Christie said he quite approved of details in connection with the Chamber being forwarded the New York Chamber, but he objected to any details regarding population of the town, etc., being given. The object of the New York body in collecting such data was to further the commercial interests of the States as a receipt of the desired information the town was inundated with advertising matter for various firms urging local residents to purchase goods from overseas by mail order. This, he considered detrimental to the town. Mr. G. F. Smith endorsed Mr. Christie’s views and after discussion, it was decided to supply the New York Chamber with details relative to the local Chamber only. LOCAL UNEMPLOYMENT. A reply was received to the Chamber’s request to the Manawatu County Council to employ local unemployed on County road work, stating that there were already five such men engaged and that a list has been prepared by the engineer of other applicants who will be engaged as occasion offers.

The President said he had been in conversation with the chairman (Mr. W. E. Barber) on the matter and he had expressed himself as only too willing to assist to alleviate local unemployment if possible. He mentioned the arrangements made to carry out the Chamber’s wishes and asked that anyone wishing to be placed on the list communicate direct with the Manawatu County Council office, at Sanson and not with him, as the list was at the office. Mr. Smith said it was very gratifying to note that the Manawatu County Council was willing to assist as far as possible. Mi’. Perreau said he was pleased that the Chamber had dealt with the unemployment question at its last meeting. The matter had been a great worry to him in his official capacity as Mayor. COUNTY ROADS. The president reported on the success of Mi’. W. E. Barber’s interview with the Main Highways Board on behalf of the Manawatu ing work in the Manawatu County would b e proceeded with as expeditiously as possible. The president also reported on a conversation on roading matters with the Hon. Edward Newman, who had

been agitating for an improved highway between Levin and Sanson, via Foxton.. Mr. Perreau said he endorsed what had been said about the Le-vin-Sanson highway. It was time this important road was completed. He suggested writing to the Horowhenua County Council urging upon them to complete the stretch of road between Levin and the Whirokino Bridge in order to connect up w r ith the Manawatu County Council’s road, w r hich work the latter body had signified putting in hand at an early date. The president: We should agitate for an improvement of the bluff on the Levin side of the Whirokino Bridge where a recent motor fatality occurred. A little work in the locality w’ould greatly minimise the danger to traffic negotiating the bend. It was decided to write the Horowhenua County Council asking them to complete the Levin-Whiro-kino Road as soon as possible. FLAXOTLLING DEADLOCK. . On the motion of the President the following resolution was carried : “That this Chamber expresses its appreciation of the Prime Minister’s efforts in an endeavour to bring about a settlement between the parties concerned in the flaxmilling hold-up, and hopes that his intervention may result in the reopening of the mills at an early date.” NORTH ENTRANCE TO TOWN. Mr. D. R. Barron referred to the wretched state of the roadway at the north entrance to Foxton-bor-ough and Russell Street corner. A little gravel had certainly been spread there that day, but the pot holes were appalling. He considered the Borough Council should be requested to grade this small piece of road once a w T eek. It was decided to ask the Borough Council to grade the road wrekly. LADY’S MILE RAILWAY CROSSING. Mr. D. Christie reported on the bad state of the Lady’s Mile railway crossing. Something should be done to remedy the sudden dip on to the line.

Mr. J. Ross said a check rail would greatly remedy the sudden jar of a car landing on the rail. It would be impossible for the Railway Department to alter the grade and a very expensive business for the Council to lower the road. It was decided to w 7 rite the District Traffic Manager asking if the Department would place a check rail down at the crossing. TELEPHONE CHARGES. Mr. Christie referred to the high made by the P. and T. Department in connection with the telephone service. It was decided to ask the Department for a reduction in charges for telephones. TOP-DRESSING EXPERIMENTS. Mr. F. iO. Raikes spoke approvingly of the Borough Council’s action in making application to the Massey College for top-dressing experiments to be carried out in this district. Great benefit could be derived by farmers of poor land by top-dressing. It was decided to support the Council’s request to the College. Mr. Christie deplored the collect on delivery system by the P. and T. Department in connection with overseas trade, and it w 7 as decided to object to the system. MOTION OF SYMPATHY. On the motion of Mr. M. E. Perreau it Avas decided to express deep regret at the demise of the late Judge Sims. LADIES’ EVENING. On the suggestion of the president, it was decided to hold a ladies evening in the Masonic Hall on the third Monday in September, and Messrs Corn, Smith, Raikes, Barron and Mattar were elected a committee to arrange details. • The president reported on a fraternal visit paid to Levin by members of the Chamber, and it was decided to extend to that body an invitation to be present on the occasion of the social evening.