LYTTELTON RAILWAY RATES.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11536, 19 March 1903, Page 2

LYTTELTON RAILWAY RATES.

PROPOSED CONFERENCE WITH MEMBERS.

A conference between representatives of the local Chambsr of Commerce end the Industrial Association, w.a» held at the Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon, fcr the purpose of discussing the present railway tariff between Christchurch and Lyttelton. The members of the Chamber of Commerce present were—Messrs A. H. Turnbull (president), H. Wood, W. D. Meares, A. Kaye, and X- W. Roper, while Mos.ms W. Minson, J. A. Frostick, and W. W. Charters. The Chairman said itac matter had been before the Chamber iox many years, but hitherto it had been found impossible to get the evils remedied. Concessions had been mad a in lonjj distances, and in passenger lares, hut. no proper adjustment had been made on the Lvttelton line. If the Government ."-aw that the Canterbury members were banded together on the matter, tha concessions would be irauted. Where t-lii railway had io cmnpelo with water car- , riagc the Government had granted extremely low rates. He tiiougnt the conference should decide upon united action, and lie suggested that the whole of th<? Canterbury members should be present at a further conference, wuen they could be asked to viled_e themselves to have matters remedied. Mr Minson said the Industrial Association had taken the matter up, and bad consulted the various members. A I'arlianuntary Cnntmittce of investigation w.is *et up, who reported that Cliristehurch had no grievance. If the course eujrjyested by the Chairman were followed, and the Canterbury me miters invited to attend a conference, from the _ioi_a.v!on suppikd to them they would ,be able to "present a common front. He believed that in consequence of nueh a union the grievances would b?. remedied- The Government had explained that tna anomalies in the Lvttelton rates were j_stiijed by the exigencies of circumstances. tie failed to see how any Govornnitnf could be justified in adopting a course that was unjust ro one section of tha community. Tbe Chairman said that the suggestion to invito tho Canterbury members to a conference, was the suggestion of-the Chairman of the Railways Committee, Mr W. 1). Meares. With reference to the mileage the Government regulations were that tho mileage should be calculated to the nearest half-mile, and that would make the distance six miles between Christchurch and Lvttelton. Mr Meares -uggested that ;i resolution should ha adopted inviting the various Canterbury members to attend a conference. The Chairman suggested that representatives of the A. and I*. Association should be invited to attend the Conference. Mr Roper 6aid that if the resolution were adopted a small committee could be set up to bring the facts together. On the motion of Mr Roper, it was decided to invite the Canterbury A. and P. Association to send delegates to the Conference. Mr Minson said he was sorry to observe that the members of the Jate Parliamentary Committee considered tiho .{question was merely a town one. The fact that the_inequitable rates affected the country more than the town should be brought prominently forward at tho Conference. It was decided, on Mr Minson's motion, to invite the Canterbury members of both Housce to meet a conference of delegates from the tttree bodies, on a date to bo arranged. Mr D'rostick moved that a sub-committee of six, two from each body, should be appointed, to make the necessary arrangement* for the Conference. This was agreed to, and it was also resolved to hold a joint meeting the Conference. Mr Meares said the fact could not be too strongly emphasised that tho present movement was strictly of a,.non-political character. All that was asked for was that a grievance should be removed. Messrs A. H. Turnbull and W. D. Meares were appointed the -representatives of the Chamber of .-.:<■ --.-: