MINISTERIAL VISIT

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 18 January 1913, Page 5

MINISTERIAL VISIT

DISCUSSED BY CHAMBER. OF COMMERCE.

A SUB-COMMITTEE SET UP

At the meeting of the Masterton Chamber of Commerce yesterday, the President (Mr C. E. Daniell) stated that he understood from Mr G. R. Sykes, M.P., that there was a probability of the Minister of Public Works visiting the district towards the end of February or in the beginning of March.. He believed that the County Council and Borough Council intended taking steps to entertain the Minister. Mr Sykes had expressed the opinion that the- Prime Minister would also visit tho district. Hjp (Mr Daniell) thought a sub-committee might be set up to co-operate with the Borough Council and County Councils. Mr G. C. Summerell moved that a sub-committee to consist of the President, Vice-President and Secretary, be set up to arrange with local bodies and report. He considered that the .matter .which was most urgent, from the Chamber point of view, was the Masterton to Waipukurau railway. Tlie local bodies could well look after other matters. Mr Henderson seconded' the resolution.

The Secretary pointed out that the Minister of Public Works had exnressed himself strongly in favour of light lino railways. . The. President suggested that the Minister should be driven out to the east.; He understood that there was a proposal at the Pongaroa end to drive the Minister from that part. The expenditure of some money would be necessary.- Master ton wa<s not advertised as it should be in other parts of the Dominion.

Mr G. H, Perry thought they should not overlook the matter of tho Rimutaka deviation. This was of very great importance to the district. Mr A. Henderson considered that if .they got the Ministers to the district, they should treat them well. Masterton bad not done justice to itself in the past in these matters. Ho was personally willing to give a guinea towards the cost of entertaining the visitors. It would be a good thing to get Ministers here at Show time.

The President suggested that the. committee should he made larger than had been proposed.

Mr Summereli stated that his idea \va.s that a small committee be appointed to interview the County Council, Borough Council, Farmers' Union and A. and P. Association. They should have a representative committee i which could subsequently be arranged.

The President thought tlrey should decido whether it was desirable for the Chamber to take the initiative. After further discussion, the proposal of Mr Summereli that tho President, ice-President and Secretary confer with local bodies on the subject was carried.

It was decided that tho committee report to a special meeting to be held in a fortnight's time.