CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 170, 17 July 1908, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CONFERENCE.

NORTHERN RAILWAY ttSTEXSION. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WHAXGAREI. Thursday. The Conference of Chambers of Commerce opened this afternoon. The president of the Wbangarei Chamber-(III , A. K. Cran»i presided, and the following Tlsitors, repreSei ? ii s chambers of commerce or other public bodies, were present:—Messrs L. J Bagnall (Auckland Chamber), G. L. Peacocke (Auckland Railways League), E. Morrison (Warkwor-th), Edward Harding (Kaipara), H. Bluadell (Bay of Islands). Harrison (Warkworth). Jas. Brock (Towai). Mr Crane moved. "That in view of the completion of the North Island Main Trunk line south of Auckland before the end of the year, the time has arrived for a united effort by Auckland members of Parliament to secure a substantial vote of not less than fIoO.OOO per annum to push on with expedition the extension of the trunk line north of AucElana, rrom Wellsford to Maungatnroto; and, further, that the necessary exploration and working surveys be continuously carried out up to Omapere anJ northward, in order that the actual route of the extension of the line may be settled as soon as possible for the Information of ' local bodies, so that construction work can be proceeded with without delay, as the several allocations for the purpose'are made each session." Mr J-. D. McKenzie seconded, and the motion was carried. It was further resolved: "That the Government be requested to undertake the completion of the North Auckland railway to Maungaturoto beiore the end of the year 1009; that the Government be urged to push on with all diligence the completion of the railway line between Kav.-akatra and Wha ngarei; that the Government be asked Lo make a flying survey covering the country between the Whangarei-Kawafrawa railway and some point of the navigable waters of the Hokianga estuary." On the motion of Mr Hardteg it was resolved: "That an excursion be arranged to enable members of the Auckland Chamber, Railways League Council, and members of Parliament to vifcit the country to be developed by the North Auckfand railway, nnd that .representatives of the district bodies lie a committee of nrrasigpraent " Mr Chadwin moved nnd Mr L. .1. Basmall seconded: "Tint In view of tile sn.csestion I to place £230.000 on the Estimates for the reading of back blocks. thii conference would draw the attention of the -Government to the fact that the North Auckland district, embracing the oldest settlements in the Dominion, has the strongest claim on the early consideration of the Government in the m.ittor of ronding, nnd is many settlers in the North are completely isolated in the winter months they are unable to obtain anything like satisfactory results from the capital nnd labour expended •"' their holdings." The motion was carri<v Mr D. W. .Tack moved: "That in the interests of the extensive districts North of Auckland this conference urges upon the Postmnster-General the importance of ostnbllshintr telephone communication with Auckland from provincial towns such as Whangarel. Dargnvillp. and Aratapu: that In the opinion of this conference the charges for telephone connections within the exchange beyond the first mile nre excessive, and that the PostmaMer-Geneial should consider the advisability of introducing a scheme by which the charges should bo considerably lessened, so as to enable those who are now practically debarred to sharp In the great convenience afforded by the telephone system: that in places where telegraph offices nre open in the evening subscribers should be permitted, on payment of a small fee. to transmit hy telephone telegrams for dispatch from the central office." Mr McKinstry seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr H. Weaver moved. Mr J. M. Killen seconded, and It was agreed: '"That seeing that there Is nt the present such a great demand for land for settlement the Government be urged to open native and Crown lands without delay, and that the Government be urged to simplify the native land lnws and increase the liberty of thp natives in cases where their titles have been determined, so as to enable them more readily lo deal with their land in any way they mny find best for themselves." Mr Harding moved, Mr Crane seconded, and It was resolved: "That In view of the great loss to the Dominion from the native lands beinc withheld from profitable occupation, this conference recommends that some modification of the I.aurts for Settlement Act be applied to them without wnlting for the ascertainment of titles, the receipts to be held in trust for respective owners until the titles have been determined." Mr nanlon suggested that the Government strincent steps to prevent the Introduction of the fruit fly. nud a resolution was carried to this effect, but excepting certaiu fruit frfv t'.ic prohibition.