CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 177, 26 July 1907, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

TARIFF DISCUSSION.

• The quarterly meeting of members of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce was held at 2-30 o'clock yesterday afternoon. There was a fair attendance. Mr. Nathan A. _\athan presided. The report (an abstract of which appeared in last issue) was read, and some discussion followed.

Mr. Claire said, in connection with the new tariff, that it wo old be well if a book -was kept at the Customs' house, showing the rates collectable, so that people should know where tljey were. There should 1 also be strong representation made about having interpretations duly recorded for reference. Another important matter was one that was raised by Mr. Graves Aicken about 20 years ago, namely, the setting up of a Board of Reference in connection with tariff discussions. If such a Board was necessary then, it was much more wanted now. If this trouble about the tariff had pressed upon Labour bodies, it would have been remedied in a week. All .they wanted was that the. Chamber of Commerce should receive as much attention at the hands of the Government as the Trades and Labour Council. Would that the Government had the same favour for the Chamber of Commerce as it had lor the Labour bodies, or should he sa.y the same fear. (Laughter.) The Chamber should take off the silk gloves and -ay, "We intend to have this,'' and they might get more consideration.

Mr. Green said: '"To get it, you must put a pike cm your shoulders and march." Referring to the tariff, Mr. Green said they would probably find Sir Joseph Ward's estimates turn out very different as far as the receipts were concerned, and the maintenance might just as easily be £350,000 as £150,000. That was part of the policy of governing, "to pluck the goose and stifle the squeal."

Mr. Sydney Xathan drew attention to the proposal to form a Chamber of Commerce at Onehunga. He said, surely the interests of Auckland and Onehunga were so identical that one Chamber of Commerce should do for both. He thought it would be far better for Onehunga people to join the Auckland Chamber than to form a separate one,

Mr. Kent did not see how the Council could direct the Onehunga people in that matter. The people of Onehunga no doubt had local matters which they thought could be better looked after by local men.

The President said it was not a matter they could move in as a Chamber, though individual members might try to get the Onehunga people to join forces with the Auckland Chamber.

Mr. Dewar referred to the Auckland railway station, and said he was one of the deputation that waited upon a Minister when that station was first erected, many years ago. They were told it was a temporary station, but it had been there for 25 years, and a lot of rookeries h_d been added. It was a disgrace to Auckland, and the people should demand that a proper station be erecteu.

Mr. Kent said Mr. Claire seemed to have the idea, that the Chamber was not dealt with fairly by the Government. Now, as a matter of fact, the Government was paying attention to the representations of the Chamber. That was shown in the matter of the shortage of trucks. The Government was increasing their locomotives and other rolling stock very considerably. The Premier himself had admitted that the Auckland Railway station was inadequate, which pointed to the possibility of a better one being erected in due course. It was only by continually digging away that they could get what Auckland wanted. The Premier had also admitted that Auckland must have a new Post Office before long. Deference had also been paid to the representations of the Chamber in several other ways, and it was only fair to give the Government credit when it was due.

The report was then adopted