CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 December 1921, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

QUARTERLY MEETING. THE RAILWAY SERVICE. The quarterly meeting of the Tara.naki Chamber of Commerce was held last night, the president (Mr. T. C. List) occupying the chair. In giving a resume of work since the last quarterly meeting, the chairman referred with satisfaction to the fact that as the result of representations made the Railway Department had inaugurated an improved railway service. He remarked that they had been working for this object for over a year, but the stumbling block had been the lack of unanimity among the various parts of the province in regard to this matter. Eventually, however, they were able to reach unanimity and submit their proposals to the department, which had given all that was asked for —a very gratifying result—and naturally the chamber was pleased. The new service was, he felt sure, going to be of immense advantage to the town and district. Mr. A. Goldwater remarked that the service might be all right if it was kept up to time-table, but. on one day this week the morning train was quarter of an hour late. The chairman said time would have to be allowed for the organisation of the new time-table It was no easy matter for the departmental officers to re-arrange the time-table, and if members had seen the plotting-plans at headquarters they would appreciate the difficulties involved in the alterations. THE MAIL TRAIN. Mr. Johns inquired if anything was to be done in connection with the mail train. The chairman replied that while the train committee was working on the question of altering the mail service, they found considerable opposition in k certain districts, not without some justification in that the alterations suggested were going to interfere somewhat with certain traffic. It had therefore been decided to leave the alterations to the. mail train service in abeyance and to concentrate on the district services, but it was hoped to take up the mail train service again later on He believed they could cut an hour and a half off the jiirney between New Plymouth and Wellington, but first of all they would have to obtain the ed-opera-tion of the rest of Taranaki. In order to effect the desired improvement there would have to be’ some sacrifices in the cutting out of certain stops and the I reduction of the times of stopping at [ bigger stations. The general manager had made it quite clear that it was impossible to speed up the train except by elimination and reduction of present stops. The chairman read a letter from the district traffic manager acknowledging the. communication sent expressing the thanks of the Taranaki chambers tor the institution of the improved service. Mr. Harris expressed appreciation of the assistance received from the president of the Taranaki Chamber, ana tne president (Mr. E. P. Webster). Subsequently it Wks decided to convey the chamber’s thanks to the general manager, district traffic manager, and to the stationmaster at New Plymouth (Mr. O’Shea) for their assistance in securing the improved service. On behalf of the Employers' Association. Mr. P. Stainton expressed appreciation of what tfie chamber had done, and thanked the chairman for hia energy and sustained interest in the matter. In reply, the chairman acknowledged the assistance received from Mr. Stainton and Mr. G. Fraser, the other members of the railway committee.

THE NO. 2 TUNNEL. Another event which had taken place since the. previous meeting was the poll on the question of enlarging No. 2 tunnel, and the result of a two to one majority was very gratifying, especially considering the manner in which the question was put to the ratepayers. It was a work in which the chamber had taken an active, part, and would prove, he felt sure, of far greater importance than many people at present realised. He thought the possibilities of further supply were sufficient to justify the English firm in coming to New Plymouth, and it was pleasing to note that Mr. Leggatt was to visit the district again shortly, and he expressed the hope that the council would show a friendly and reasonable spirit in dealing with the firm. In this connection he regretted to note the tone which had been adopted by the council, and though not desirous of being censorious, he thought it was a matter for regret that the council did not display a more accommodating and enterprising spirit Towards the firm. Personally he felt tne council was justified in going a long way in meeting the firm. GENERAL. The chairman reminded members that the question of members making a trip to back-blocks districts had been discussed at the last quarterly meeting, and he desired to know if a date could be fixed, suggesting January or February. He thought as many members as possible should make the trip, and that the chamber should show it deserved the position it assumed —namely, a Taranaki Cliamber —by keeping in touch with the backblocks.—lt was decided to make the trip early in February. An acknowledgement was received from the Ahipara Gum Company, Auckland, for information concerning the growing of grasses on sand dunes, which the chamber had obtained from Captain Waller and forwarded to the company. Reference was made by the chairman to the proposed establishment of an experimental farm in North Taranaki, and he urged that members should accord this movement every possible support. The commercial men of New Plymouth. he said, had always been ready in the past to give their aid in such matters, and he hoped this would be continued.

A suggestion was received from the Waitara Chamber that the Telegraph Department be asked to erect a second wire between New Plymouth and Awakino, and also to establish a metallic circuit at Waitara with a view to improving the service. The matter referred to the chairman and Mr. G. Fraser to inquire into and report upon. The Association of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce wrote intimating that the Minister of Finance had approved of the setting uu of a committee of business men to confer with the officers of the Taxation Department concerning the prinoiples and incidence of taxation. The chamber was asked to forward nominations of any likely representatives, and it was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the gouacil. . .