CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 96, 18 December 1912, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Stratford Chamber of* Commerce was hold last night, when there were present: Messrs. W. P. Kirkwood (in the»chair) E. Jackson, W. H. H. Young, P. Thomson, J. Mnnro, and W. A. Hewitt. From the Railway. The Secretary reported with regard to the unsightly premises facing the -railway station that with the Mayor and another member, he had taken Mr. Hine for a walk along the station. (Laughter.) Mr. Hine had intend CAved the Minister, and would report when he received a communication with regard to the matter from the authorities. An Important Matter. The Secretary of the Kotare Progressive Committee wrote asking for the assistance of the Chamber of Commerce in getting the Papakuro Hoad formed to connect with the StratfordTc Konra railway. It Avas decided that the Chamber Avas, Avith their present information, not justified in recommending the formation of the road to the authorities, and the Secretary is to draft a letter requesting further information. The matter Avas classed by the secretary as of considerable importance to Stratford. Omona Forest Reserve. Mr. Hine fonvarded an intimation from the authorities that the reserva- . tions for the groAvth and preservation of timber on certain sections of the Omona Forest Reserve had been removed, and the land would be throAvn open for selection. Air. Hine thanked the Chamber for the help they had given him in attaining this very desirable object. The Chairman: That’s very satisfactory. The Secretary: Is it advisable to urge on the Government the prompt survey of that land? The Chairman: Oh, I don’t think so. Mr. Young moved, however, that this Chamber urges upon the Government through our member the necessity of a prompt survey of the block, and vieAvs Avith appreciation their intention to throAv it open for selection, imported Timber. The Secretary brought up tho question of imported timber and railway freights. He stated,that all imported timbers Avere charged rate and a half, and this Avas obviously unfair, because inland tOAvns had to pay tho rate, while sea tOAvns got their timber at a reasonable price. Undoubtedly the question of protection Avas a big one, but he thought no one could say it Avas a fair thing to place this sort of protective tariff which Avas a burden to one section of the community only.

Mr. Young stated that if they wanted to do something, why did not the Government protect the trade by

duty ?

Mr. Richards stated further that he had been told that there was an intention to add another 2s per hundred to the cost.

A member; Timber is dear enough

The Secretary moved that all Chambers be circularised with the view to obtaining the removal of the disability under which the inland towns were labouring. The Chairman asked the very pertinent question that was not the difference between imported and New Zealand timbers rather a concession to the home-grown article, rather than a protective tariff? The Secretary, however, combatted this question, stating that it was undoubtedly a protective tariff.

The motion was carried The C.P.O.

The Chairman then moved that the Government be requested to carry out without further delay the additions proposed to the Post Office. In doing so, he said he thought it was about time that something was done as far as this office was concerned. No doubt it was convenient enough for the postal officials in its present form, but it was decidedly inconvenient for the public. Members then let themselves go, the Post Office coming in for some really unpublishable descriptions, “Cock-eyed” being the most moderate. The motion was withdrawn, it being evident that the Chamber desired to have their hands clean of the whole business of renovating or enlarging the office, regarding the spending of £2OO as a paltry sum, and totally insufficient for the requirements of a town as large and progressive as Stratford.