MASTERTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9670, 18 December 1909, Page 5

MASTERTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the Masterton Chamber of Commerce was held yesttrday. There were present Messrs F. W. Carey (Vice-Pre&ident, in the chair), G. G. Summeiell, D. Donald, V. Donald, C. E. Daniell, J. Hunter, J. D. CruicKshank, and J. C. Ewington. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs J. B. Moodie, W. B. Chennells, C. Graham, A. Henderson, J. B Keith, H. C. Robinson. The Wellingcon Chamber of Commerce wrote in reference to the question of new Primage Duty which had bten considered by them. The general opinion was that the] moa effective way to obtain the desired amount would be by a direct tax on some at tide of common consumption such as tea and sugar. Tne fetish of the "free breakfast table," however, put this quite out of the question. As the next best method | of the Council suggested to the Government that a tax of, say 2 or ! 2J per cent., or such rate as would prjauce the required amount, should be levied on .the amount of all duties payable under the tariff. The total of the Customs Duties received in the year ended 30th September last was £2,642,321, in addition to which there was about £120,000 of excise duties. An addition of 2 per cent, on the total would yield 3ome £55, 000 ptr annum. A tax on this basis would be free from the objections applicable to a tax on the value of goc da subject to specific duties. The treasurer reported a credit balance of £lO 16s Bd. A circular was read from Canterbury Argicultural and Pastoral Association, stating that in view of the serious loss sus ined by the pastoral community in Canterbury, owing to the drop in (.he Dnce of mutton and lamb during the iatter part of last season, my cjmmittee has resolved: —"That the committee take steps to arrange a conference with the A. and P. Associations, Farmers' Unions, stock agent?, freezing companies and shipping companies for the purpose of disusaing, and if possible, arrang- , ing some method of improving the meat export trade." It is pointed] out that if any benefit is to result from the conference by way of information for farmers as to the method of disposing of this season's meat, it should be held as soon as poasinle, and it is sugges- . ted that the first week in January I should be the time fixed, the confeience to be held at Wellington. One of the objects of the conference is to obtain as information as possible with regard to defects in the present method of exporting and selling. It is proposed to invite anyone who is in a pobition to ao so, t n attend and either address the con • ference on the present system, or supply information with regard to ihe same by correspondence. Each* Association is asked to send a representative. The President, Mr J. B. Moodie., was appointed the Chamber's representative at the conference.

A deputaiton from Te "Wharau, consisting of Messrs M. McGregor, R. Barrer, W. Douglas, and H. Nitz waited on the Chamber with reference to the alteration of the mail service from Manterton. The Chairman read a letter from the General Post Office, wrote stating that tenders for mail services in the Te W barau district had . J??en accepted as under:—Carterton, Gladstone, and Te Wharau, twice weekly, Mr J. Hood; Te Wharau, Kaiwhata, and Kummerstein, twice weekly, Mr F. 0. H." Cotter, provided the private bag holdera on the route will tubsidise the service by abDUt £lO per year; Te Wharau, Land's End and Flat Point (rural \ delivery), twice weekly, Mr F. C Cooper, provided the settlers will subsidise the service to the extent of £ls a year. The tenders for service providing direct communication with Masterton had been declined on the ground of cost Mr Barrer said that since the tenr ders from Carterton had been accepted he was one of the settlers who had been asked to contribute £5 along with others from Te Whar&u to Fait Point. Taking the road from Carterton and that from Masterton there could be no comparison between the two, the latter being much the better and they had decided recently to come to the Maoterton Chamber of Commerce and enlist their sympathy in the matter of retail ing the present mail service. Seven years ago it had been necessary to wade through water and mud to get the mails through, whereas now the roads were so good that they coula drive through in a motor from Masterton and still they were asked to contribute their contributions. The Masterton mail service was beat suited to their requirements, and they wished it continued. A petition having been signed by practically the whole of' the settlers on the coast in favour of continuation. It was absurd that they should be compelled under the circumstances to take their correspondence through Carterton, when practically the whole of their business was done in Masterton. Mr Douglas said that the in«pector who was sent from the Postal Department to go into the matter had oniy got as fur as Carterton. He should certainly have made himself acquainted with the requirements of the settlers.

The chairman said that if it was a fact that the inspector dill not come to Masterton it should certainly be given publicity. Mr Barrer said if the mail instead of going to Flat Point only went to Lard's End it would be sufficient The distance from Te Wharau to Land's End was about five miles. He understood that the present mail carrier was willing tv undertake the carrying of mails from Masterton to Te Wharau for £fA Mr Sumnierell said he understood the present carrier, Mr liichards, was willing to carry the mail from Masfer'on to Te Wharau and to Flat Point for £75. Mr Hunter said that it appeared as if the representations of the settlers had been quite ignored. Mr C. E. Daniell moved that the attention ox the Postmaster-General be called to the fact that an officer of the Department had been sent, to £«in information and! is reported to have only sorght information at Carterton; while now «"ere informed 'hut the contract from Uar- | ,erlon to Te Wharau bad been let,

the officer having apparently ignored the expressed wish of the settlers and this Chambpr protests strongly against the action of the Department in thus wilfully ignoring the expressed wishps of the settlers as to their mails and business interests; they therefore strongly urge, in the interests «f the settlers and business people of Masterton. that the mail from Masterton to Flat roint be reinstated, or an alternative service Masterton to Lands End via Te Wharau. Mr Ewington seconded the motion, which was carried.