BUSINESS DEPRESSION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 926, 20 March 1930, Page 8

BUSINESS DEPRESSION

DECREASE OF 33 PER CENT. IN NEWMARKET NEW TRAM STOP WANTED Contending that the alteration of the tram stop iri Broadway had resulted in a marked depression in trade, * deputation of six, representing 152 Newmarket business firms, waited upon the Newmarket Borough Council last evening, urging that the council’s support bo given to a petition to ba placed before the Transport Board, asking that a tram stop be created in the middle of Broadway. After discussion in committee the council decided not to support the petition. “The matter is of paramount importance to the Newmarket business section,” said Mr. George Marriott, who acted as spokesman of the deputation. “We feel that owing to the alteration in the tram stops, Newmarket is feeling more than its fair share of the general business depression which is being experienced throughout the Dominion, and is very acute in Auckland.” To improve business, Newmarket shopkeepers had put on one or two •stunts,” but it was now felt that the time for “stunts” was past. It was not policy to scratch the outside when the trouble was internal. “We approach you in a conciliatory spirit to support this petition which, is to be placed before the Transport Board,” said Mr. Marriott. “I’ou are the authorities of Newmarket, placed there to attend to the grievances o : ! the ratepayers. We represent 15;! business people of Newmarket and we ask you to listen to their troubles anti their wish for a tram stop in the middle of Broadway.” They did not wish the stop put back in the old place as it was a dangerous position. It should, in the interests of all business people, be situated where it was central, offered a safe passage to the footpath, and would distribute passengers through the shopping area. It was asserted that the present stop was unsafe for children or elderly people to alight. “We want your help,” continued the speaker. “If. on the other hand, you adopt an arbitrary attitude —” Mayor Donaldson: Just a minute. That is quite uncalled for. You are assuming that we are going to adopt an arbitrary attitude. That’s a most unhappy remark. NOTHING MEANT Mr. Marriott said he was sorry that Mr. Donaldson took it that way. There was nothing meant. Mayor Donaldson: Well, your words were objectionable. Mr. Marriott: I withdraw them. Mayor Donaldson: I accept your explanation. At the same time I feel that I was justified in drawing your attention to your remarks. Mr. Marriott asked that the council lend its support to the petition to move the tramway stop on the inward line on the western side of Broadway, to the city side of Station Street. Two other speakers supported Mr. Marriott, who then read the petition, stating that the signatures represented 70 per cent, of the rates collected in the borough. An average drop of 33 1-3 per cent, in business turnovers had been experienced since the tram stop had been altered Mayor Donaldson challenged the figures given for the decrease in business. Mr. Marriott: That’s an approximate figure. Newmarket shopkeepers havo decreased from five to 50 per cent. We struck an average. In answer to a further question by the Mayor he said many would have to go out of business in Newmarket, owing to the bad times. A hearty discussion waged around the quoted 33 1-3 per cent, drop in Newmarket business, Cr. W. Hughes stating that in his opinion the depression could not be attributed to the tram stops, but to the fact that newshopping areas were springing up at Remuera, Great South Road and Epsom. Mr. Marriott admitted that it was so, because safer tram facilities existed at those termini. The depression could not be due to the transfer of the railway workshops to Otahuhi , because most of the workers still uved at Newmarket and travelled up and down every- day. At the Mayor’s request the deputation then withdrew and the council discussed the question in committee. A resolution was passed stating that the council was of the opinion that the present temporary depression in trade* was not caused by the position, of the existing tram stops but was general throughout Auckland. Contributing causes in Newmarket were th*> removal of the railway workshops and the growth of the outer suburbs at the expense of the inner area. The council decided to take no steps toward changing the stops and to inform the deputation that it would be prepared to review the position at the end of next January.