CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 216, 5 September 1908, Page 6

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

the quarterly meeting of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce was held last night. The members present, were— Messrs. T. C. Selmackeuberg (president), Newton King, s. \V. Shaw, Ah. Coldwater. William Kerr, A. 11. Arnold, F. S. -lohns, A. 11. Clasgow, J. Paton, C. K. Laker, Skelton, .1. 1). .Sole, 0. Tiseh, A. Mellard.v, W. J. Penn, 0. 11. Burgess, \\. Ainbury. and .1. Ji. Ji„y. Apologies lor absence were received from Messrs. E. Orilliths and J. B. Cunnett.

RAILWAYS. A letter from the .Stratford Railway League asked the Chamber to give 't"s support to the proposed Stratford route ol the Opunake railway. Mr. W. Kerr thought it peculiar that New Plymouth had made no eil'ort to get an electric tram or train service between this port and Opunake. With the present excessive freights there was no wonder (hat the Opunake people clamoured for harbor and railway facilities, but they would be quite satisfied ;f New Plymouth folk would get a line right through that closely-settled coastal district. New Plymouth people were sluggish, inert, and dead to their own interests. There was no need to identify the Chamber with either proposed route. Messrs. ,f. Little and Co., Sentry Hill, asked the co-operation of the Chamber in improving the local train services which were now quite inadequate. They had gathered from enquiries that most people favored the addition lo the timetable of a train from Stratford arriving in New Plymouth about !l or 11.30 a.m., and leaving New Plymouth at 7 or 7.30 o'clock in the evening. This would gi-'e country people an opportunity of coming in by the afternoon train to do business and return to their homes the same evening. In any ease an outward evening train on Saturdays should be obtained, to return on .Monday morning, enabling New Plymouth residents to spend Sunday in the country and he back in time for business on Monday. New 'Plymouth was very much behind Napier in the matter of local train services.

.Mr. T. ltonayne, General Manager of tliii Railways, wrote promising that when (he Main Trunk timetable was outlined, with any alteration in the Wel-lington-New Plymouth service, the Chamber would be communicated with. The president thought that the Chnmlier should ask to have the present, mail service accelerated. The Department should be notilied of the requirements of the district. Mr. King was of opinion that the Chamber should wait until some information was obtained. He had no doubt that the Chamber, and every Chamber interested, would be consulted before, the timetable was liually settled. Mr. Johns was of opinion that as (ive weeks ihad elapsed since the General Manager's promise was made, Mr. ltonayne should be reminded of his promise. in a desultory discussion Mr. King pointed out the danger of "rushing the thing." The first tiling to do was '.o obtain the proposed timetable and discuss that.- There was no need just yet to state New Plymouth's requirements. Now, thev had a definite promise. Mr. Burgess thought that to again write to Mr. Romiyne for information would be little less than an insult. It was decided to take no action in the matter of the express time table. Mr. Shaw's amendment asking Che Government to arrange that tliu express should reach here no later tlhan 8 p.m. was lost, and Mr. Johns' motion to remind the General Manager of his promise withdrawn, owing to the prevailing feeling that no action should be taken for a month.

Upon tjhe motion of Messrs. Term and Ambury, it was decided that the District Traffic Manager be requested to meet a deputation of the Council and Chamber of Commerce Willi respect to the alterations to the timetable to suit local requirements. SHIPPING FREIIGHTS, A letter from the Eltham branch of the Farmers' Union concerning the alleged existence of a shipping ring (as published (be oilier day in these, columns) was read. The president said the Chamber was powerless ill the matter, though there could bo no doubt there was Some truth in tte allegations. Mr. Baker asked: What is the meaning of primage? We nil pay 10 per cent, primage on freigints. but what's it for?

The president: Those that krow won't tell von. THE BANKRUPTCY T,AW. It was decided to support the action of tho Auckland Chamber of Commerce in requesting the Government to refer the question of remodelling the bankruptcy laws to a commission ot TIJ.C chief 'Official Assignees, who might confer with leading representatives elf commerce. MR. JUSTICE Sill. The president introduced the Matter of the agitation in some quarters asking for the removal of Mr. Justice Sim ns° President of tlic Arbitration Court, on account of the dissatisfaction "' " cerium section of the labor organisations.

Mr. Kerr very strongly denounced the.attempt made to interfere with Ulie course of justice and the administration of the labor laws in (Jic Dominion. He moved: "That this Chamber enters an empliatic protest against the attempt of the Canterbury fann Laborers' Union to tamper by political interference with the impartial administration of the Arbitration Court Judge, such interference being subversive of the best interests of the State." Mr. Pcnn thought the Government would take no notice of the. agitation, which lie considered beneath contempt. Mr. Hughes supported the motion, considering the matter as one of the greatest importance to the farming community, pure administration of the law, and non-interference with Hie course of justice. The motion was carried unanimously. THE MOKAU BRIDGE. Upon the motion of Messrs. Gold-ATOtct-end King, it was decided "That the matter of bridging the Mokau river be brought to the notice of the members for Taranaki and Egmont district's with a request that Uiey use their best endeavors to have the work carried out during the coining summer."