CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 216, 29 May 1915, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

SPECIAL MEETINGk A special meeting of the Oonncll of the Chamber of Commerce was held in Mr. W. McLennan's, Tooms last evening, the attendance being augmented by a number of tradespeople who had been specially invited to assist in discussing needed alterations in the present Tailway tariff. The president (Mr. James) was in the chair, and in his introductory remarks said this meeting had been called for a special purpose and as many business-men might be particularly interested in the subject for discussion they had been invited to be present. At a general meeting of the Chamber the questinon of railway freights was introduced by Mr, Darvill; after a little consideation this matter was found to be of such a magnitude that it was thought advisable to have an evening set apart for its discussion. And, further," it was thought to be of so much importance to this community that it would be advisable to invite outsiders to bring forward Suggestions and alterations. In the two or three hours ho had given to the subject in the meantime he had found enough matter to take up two or three evenings; therefore, it was necessary that those gentlemen who had come to assist the Council should be prepared to state their cases as clearly as possible, giving data necessary for dealing with each specific ease, so as to enable them to to decide what suggestions to submit to the Department. He suggested, to start the discussion going, that Mr. Darvill be invited to furnish the meeting with particulars of the eases he had to bring forward.

Mr. Darvill said, he had not come prepared with a lot of details. He explained that he had brought under notice, that owing to the high rate of railage the town had to get its sugar from Auckland round by "Wanganui. It had been suggested to him that if representations were made to the General Manager of Railways the rate would be lowered. The railage on sugar should be Bate B; the difference between getting through Wanganui was £1 16/4 as against £3 3/4 by rail direct. To the Wanganui raijage would have to be added 15/- shipping, 5/3 wharfage at Onehunga, and other small charges, bringing it up to £2 19/4. Sugar was so easily handled that he thought it should be brought under Rate B. The chairman thought that no matter what geographical position a town occupied the tariff should be uniform. While on the matter he might mention what he thought were anomalies. Sugar was charged a much higher rate than beer, double the rate for theatrical bag gage, the same rate as merry-go-rounds. He thought they had a very g od case in asking for better ratiug. Theatrical baggage was only half Rate B sugar should surely be made full rate B, at • least bringing to the same as charged on bacon, hams, binder-twine, galvanised iron, all of which were Class B; sugar was no more difficult to handle.

Mr. Darvill proposed that it be a recommendation to the Council to make representations to the Railway Department, with a view to having sugar carried under Rate B.

This was seconded by Mr. Robertson, and carried unanimously.

Mr. Darvill said there were many articles under Class A that should, be lowered. Jam in tins should come under a lower rate than jam in bottles; there was no risk in handling the tins. There are a good many articles not easily damaged or broken that might reasonably come under a lower rate. More care was required in handling flour. Among the lines he thought, might be changed were candles/ candied peel, currants, raisins, dates, figs, fish in tins, fruit in tins, preserves, honey, jam, kerosene, preserved milk, mustard, pepper, sardines, and vinegar. All these goods did not require the care in handling as many others did that were in a lower class and he thought they should be reduced.

The chairman said the quantity handled was taken into consideration in fixing tariffs. Kerosene and tea were carried in considerable bulk, and it was advisable not to endanger their whole case by including small matters. Differentiation between jam in bottles and jam in tins was reasonable. He was think ing about keeping prices down for consumers; he was not troubling much about storekeepers. Where there was monopoly there was no need to look after the storekeeper, and where there was competition the consumer would not suffer much.

Mr. Darvill thought the articles he had mentioned might reasonably be classed under Bate B.

On Mr. McLaughlan's motion, it was resolved to ask that kerosene be carried undor Class C.

The chairman said the rate for ,iam in bottles seemed alright, but there appeared to be no reason why meat in tins should be carried at a lower rate than jam and milk in tins. He suggested that all tinned foods be carried under Class B. The Department might differentiate between imported and home-produced goods; .still, there; were anomalies that needed .removing. ') Mr. Champioir...^ovei ; that • all. New Zealand manuf aeture4 tinned food, now caxried'ftt a kighcr r,ate; should be"

This was seconded by Mr. Do and adopted unanimously. On the suggestion of Mr. De Latour/.. it was decided to send a. copy of tl|s letter despatched to the General Ma# ager of Bailways to various Chambers of Commerce in other centres, asking for their co-operation. ,^» The .chairman drew th'O fact that benzine was carried at rate and-a-half of Class A. It was carried at that rate long before it came into general use for motor purposes. Years ago, places like Taihape would onlyneed a ton where now 100 tons were coming through and this was the case in all other districts-. Carbide vr&e single rate A, benzine was half a 3 much again; it should surely be as low as carbide, which was equally dangerous. He moved that the Department be asked to reduce benzine by putting it in Class A with carbide. The resolution was adopted without opposition. Mr. De Latour introduced the sub* jeet of rendering what assistance the Chamber could towards the' extended mail service asked for by Taoroa ami other country districts. He saw a paragraph in an outside newspaper that & meeting had been held at Taoroa and that Mr. Law was deputed to commua<icate with the authorities. He thought they should give whatever help was possible. On Mr. De Latour's motion, the secretary was instructed' to writs to the convener of the Taoroa meeting to ascertain in what way the Chamber could assist them,

The chairman- • thought the late charged on furniture needed amending,. It waß now charged at rate and a-quar-ter of Class A. In his opinion, this was an imposition on people who found it necessary t'o move into the country., to many places where furniture was not to be purchased. Working people had to pay.a loaded class A rate, while theatrical luggage was only charged at half Rate B.

Mr. McLennan pointed out that" nothing was saved by getting a truck; the furniture was simply weighed uj> and charged accordingly. The chairman said furniture cost £4 15/3 from Wellington to Taihape; he= thought it should be carried at th* same rate as luggage. Class B was a payable rate. The Department had little trouble as it was generally loaded' on the truck and unloaded by the carter.

It was resolved that the Department" be asked to consider a reduction tf» Class B, whether it be new or second* hand furniture, he left the Department' to decide.

Tho question of passenger rates was.-, introduced by the chairman. He pointed out that concessions were made tobpdies attending certain classes el"' functions, such as Methodist Conferences and bowling matches, to threequarter rates. Maoris travelled at the concession rate to their councils and these could easily be.made to include tangis. In the previous edition of tiretariff, tangis were included, but he noticed they had been omitted from the last edition. What he would like to see was an extension so that farmers could travel to stock sales. It was of importance to the whole Dominion that farmers should attend these sales, and he thought the little encouragement given by such a concession would be made up again and again by •theincreased travelling. Mr. McLennan said it might lead, to-; sales being fixed to conveniently suit; for instance, on Marton race day, they might arrange a stock sale in the morning. -- r

Mr. McLennan thought these concessions should extend" to large families travelling; a special "carriage might be set apart for mothers- with children.

Mr. Darvill said he eould not under- - stand why vinegar, sauces, and pickles >■ should be charged Rate A, while bot- - tied beer was only charged Rate B. That was a matter they might draw theattention of the Department to. Hemoved hat sauces, pickles, and' vinegar ■ be included in the list for reduction,, which, after' discussion, was carried.

Mr. Loader asked whether it would' be advisable to deal with the questionof holidays, but it was decided not toconsider the question at present.

The chairman said that concluded" the business of the evening. He thanked all those present for coming aniX" giving their assistance. With a vote of thanks to the chair,, the meeting closed.