CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 September 1922, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THE RAILWAY SERVICE. IMPROVING THE MAIL TRAIN. Matters of interest were discussed at thi,. quarterly meeting of |he Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, held at New Plymouth last night. The chair was taken by the president (Mr. T. C. List), and there was a good attendance of members. The president read the latest communication from the General Manager of Railways concerning the speeding-up of the mail service between New Plymouth and Wellington. Commenting on the statement that the running time could be cut down only by cutting out a number of the unimportant stations and flag-stations, and that in so doing they encountered conflicting local interests, Mr. List agreed that it was necessary to secure united action throughout the province. He had been in touch with thft presidents of the various chambers of commerce in the province, and he was hopeful that the desired unity would be bc* cured. The service was certainly not an express one at present, except in name, it being merely a local service, and he wan satisfied that the journey could be cut, down by an hour and a-half. It was satisfactory to have the assurance of the department that it would assist in expediting the service so Jong as they in Taranaki could agree to the cutting out of some of the stops in the province. Later in the evening the matter of accommodation on the mail train was raised. Particular reference was made to the outward train on Monday mornings, Mr. Johns stating that the first “smoker” was often occupied by women and children owing to. lack of seating accommodation elsewhere. A carriage was put on at Stratford, but that was hardly of service to those compelled to stand ivhen the train left New Plymouth.

In the course of the discussion, eulogistic reference was made to the work of Mr. J. O’Shea, stationmaster at New Plymouth, who, it was stated, was always willing to ■ help the public in any way he could. The matter was left in the hands of the Railway Committee. EXPORTS OF THE PROVINCE. The president referred to the alteration made in compiling the statistical returns, crediting the port of departure with th* produce of other districts. Taranaki suffered because Wellington was given credit for millions of pounds’ worth of produce which came from Taranaki, the latter only being credited with the produce by direct boats. This was against the in, terests of Taranalci, and he felt that th* department should be urged to add tables giving details of the produce from the districts of origin as well as of the porta of departure. The province, under the sent system, would be handicapped when it came to the publication of the total pro, duction of the province. The speaker al* luded to the difficulties they were expert® encing through the change in the system in compiling the usual yearly statistics. Mr. Penn mentioned that the Wanganui chamber had failed to impress the ter with regard to the advisability pf changing the new system or adding the tables . referred to by the president. The president replied that this matter might be brought to the notice of the Minister for Customs on the occasion of the proposed visit to Wellington by the various Taranaki bodies. EMPIRE EXHIBITION, Discussing the letter from Major Belcher, British Empire Exhibition Commissioner, regretting his inability to visit Taranaki, the president said they might consider the steps that should be taken to advance the interests of the province at the exhibition. The Government had set aside a fairly substantial sum of money for the purpose, but it seemed to him that they might profitably consider the matter of taking some step to specially advertise Taranaki at the Exhibition. It was not a matter for the r-ham-ber alone, but for the whole of the business and farming community of Taranaki, He understood that other parts of New Zealand were considering spending money on exhibits and propaganda, and, if so, Taranaki should not be left behind. Mr. Connett suggested that information should be obtained as to the ways in which the Government proposed to spend Ihe money, and what was expected of the province. The president agreed that such information would be valuable, and suggested that the Taranaki chambers of commerce should meet later on and see what could be done on behalf of Taranaki. GENERAL. The president referred to the attempts which had been made to secure a visit from * the Prime Minister and the Minister for Public Works, and said it was possible that they would be able to come, and the council had organised the various bodies throughout the province to meet them should they do so. Failing a visit, it would be necessary to send a deputation to Wellington, and the various associations had been asked to hold themselves in readiness to send representatives at short notice. Suggestions were invited regarding remits for the annual conference of chambers of commerce, to be held in Dunedin at the beginning of November. Mr. Penn said that one remit might be to the effect that future conferences be held in Wellington, as northern members could not be expected to travel so far south. The president said that there was a desire on the part of the Stratford chamber for representatives of the various chambers to meet and discuss the agenda paper for the conference, and appoint one or more delegates to attend the conference and speak on behalf of the whole of Taranaki. The suggestion was a good one, and no doubt would be acted upon.

Appreciation was expressed of the work of the council of the chamber in arranging the recent visit to the hydro-electric work®, and a vote of thanks was enthusiastically accorded them. The president returned thanks, specially mentioning the work of Mr. Gordon Fraser on the occasion.