CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 September 1915, Page 8

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THE QUARTERLY MEETING. The quarterly meeting of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce was 'held last night. Present: Messrs W. J. Penn (president), C. H. Burgess, A. McHardy, D. K. Morrison, N. King, J. Paton, W. J. Ohaney, G. Fraser, S. Teed, F. S. Johns, S. W. Shaw, A. H. Steeds, J. Clarke, and A. Goldwater. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs E. P. Webster, L. A. Nolan, J. i). Sole, and M. Fraser. Mr. Richard Cock and Mr. H. J. Wells were elected members of the Chamber. TO INCREASE PRODUCTION. A copy of a resolution passed by the Rodney County Chamber of Commerce was received, emphasising the necessity for increased production to provide employment (mainly in the secondary industries) for the additional papulation urgefctly required to ensure the future safety of the Dominion. The resolution suggested the sub-division for settlement of all Crown lands and native lands; to make a special campaign to secure British farmers with capital; and to largely increase the taxation on holding which, aTe in excess of the requirements of the owners No action was taken. RAILWAY WEIGH-BRIDGE. There [having been several instances of discrepancies between the weights of coal cargoes registered at the railway and those taken at the ship, the President reported that he had brought the matter before Mr. Waite, of the Railway Department. Mr. Waite had promised to attend to the matter, and predicted no trouble in the future. In spite of tihis, discrepancies continued Co occur. In one cargo of coal recently landed there was a discrepancy of 27 tons. In order to strengthen the Chamber's case importers . would be asked to collect data of apecifio instances, and the matter would be plac- ' ed before Mr. Armstrong, District TrafI fie Inspector, when he next visited New Plymouth. Messrs Penn, Firth, Morrison and Johns were appointed a subcommittee to wait on Mr. Armstrong. CONGESTION AT GOODS SHED. A letter was received from the General Manager of Railways in regard to the inadequacy of the accommodation in the New Plymouth goods shed for dealing with, goods under bond. The letter stated that the goods shed had not for some 3 T ears past been used for examining bonded goods, and, further, that the responsibility for the provision of suitable accommodation for customs examinations, under the Customs Act, rests upon Uie wharfinger, in this instance the New Plymouth Harbor Board. In the circumstances the Department was hot prepared to undertake the provision of the accommodation required. Withregard to the need of additional shed accommodation to meet the requirements i of ordinary business, the Department had ] under consideration the question of ex- j tending the goods shed when funds were I available, but the extension was uot regarded as essential until the direct steamers make New Plymouth a port of call. 1 The president said the District Manager of Railways visited the goods shed, and recognised that there was congestion. He recommended an extension of tihe shed at the west end, but in view of the financial position it was impossible to do the work at present. It was decided to write the Genera! Wji.na.ger of Railways again, the position invre lully.