STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

(From Our Own Correspondent)

At a meeting of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, the president (Mr. .!. B. Richard*) Presided.

The president moved that the following remit be forwarded to the conference for consideration: That the conference is of opinion that it is desirable that ocean transports to New Zealand be established in such a manner that the producers of New Zealand may influence or govern the control of same. The mover said it must be clear to exporters that in view of the country Delug dependent on overseas markets, they should have some control over the distribution of our produce. The roads, railways, harbars, and wharves were in our hands, but when it came to shipping out produce they were entirely at the mercy of shipowners. He had discussed the matter with people interested in freezing works and others, and all had been sympathetic towards the movement, lie admitted the -dieffiulties were great, but if the matter was taken up he saw no reason why tee scheme could not be carried out. Mr. Thomson: You mean State control »

The President said he left tt.e matter open. He simply said that the producers should control and influence the shipping. Mr. R. Masters, in seconding, said the remit was on right lines. There was a feeling of unrest regarding the action ol the shipping con i,<anies in raising freights. The Chamber ought to take some action. He thought the Government should take up the scheme in conjunction with private enterprise; lie would go further, and build boats to trade round the coastal port.; oi New Zealand as well. The remit was carried.

Mr. Malone mentioned that the roof of the local goods shed was in disrepair, so that it was like a sieve, and every shower of rain came through it and goods had to be covered up with tarpaulains to prevent them being damaged. It was reported tlui L , the reason repairs were not put in hand was that the Railway "Department said it was difficult to procure roofing iron. He moved that the Railway Department be written to and requested to put the roof of the goods shed in a satisfactory state.—Carried. GENERAL.' Mr. J. Masters has received calde advice from Lance-Corpora 1 A. R. Masters who was recently wounded, that he is doing well. A number of local bowlo-s visited Ilawera on Wednesday aftciuon, when the official opening of the green took place. At the Police Court on Tuesday morning, Mr. S. B. Hunter, I.P occupied the bench. Alex. Hunte- was convicted of using obscene language in Broadway on Tuesday morning and sentenced to seven days' imprisonment. Lieut. Gray, who returned 'rom Wellington by the express on Tuesday, left with Mrs.' Gray by the express yesterday for Tauinarunui, whither he has been transferred. The last few warm days have been responsible for a wonderful growth in the grass. Messrs Percy Thomson, F. T. Hale, and W. .S. Cato, members of the local Beautifying Society, on Thursday morning inspected the 'plots made by the Railway Department at the entrance to tiie railway station, tvith a view to planting them and laying them out with dower beds. The work of connecting the settlers on the Toko Road with a party telephone has been completed by the Telegraph Department. The 'phone should be a boon to the settlers in that district.

Corporal Barker, of Cardiff, has received word that the Minister for Defence will personally decorate him with the D.C.'M., which 'was awarded him for gallantrv at Gallipoli. Saturday next is "Belgian Day," when all donations and proceeds from the tearooms and mart will be devoted to the Belgian Fund. The Ladies' Patriotic Committee report that £OS 18s lOd has been received for the Soldiers' Christinas Parcel Fund. The local Wounded Soldiers-' Fund now stands at. £7BBI as lOd. The sum of £174 3s 7d has been collected towards the Soldiers' Relief Fund. Captain W. V. Wilson, who was formerly officer commanding the local Mounted Rifles, but is now in camp at Featherston, has been appointed officer in charge of F Company, 23rd Reinforcements.

At the Territorial parade last evening, Sergeant C. Till, on behalf of D Company presented Lieut. Gray with a pocket wallet as a slight token of the esteem in which he was held by the Territorials. The Senior Cadets of 04 and fla Company also presented him with a silver cigarette case. Lieut. Gray feelingly thanked the donors for their kind "ifts which would remind him of the many happv parades he had attended. He added that he would look back with pride at the discipline and general behaviour of the companies while under his command. In our advertising columns, Mr. T. .Lamason draws attention to bis Saturday mart sale. Our readers are requested to watch Friday's issue, for particulars of lilies Mr. Lamason will be offering at his mart.