WORKING THE PORT.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 16086, 17 December 1917, Page 7

WORKING THE PORT.

LATE TRAIN WANTED. I MEETING OF PROTEST. In the Chamber of Commerce r ' n Saturday night a large meeting. u F representative of Christchurch Lyttelton citizens and business members of Canterbury local bo le ;» and members of Parliament, was lieici to voice yet another energetic an em phatic protest against the action o the Railway Department in continuing to decline to re-establish adequate railway. facilities between the port and the city. . , Dr. Thacker presided, and apologise | for the absence of Messrs H. Wigram, C. O'Donnell, Robert James, E. W. Relph, and W. Tyers. Le said he need make no np.'.ogy for * - , ir.g the meeting, and lie was clad see such a large attendance. _ On the motion of the chairman -• was decided to hold the deputation to Sir Joseph Ward at the Chambei Commerce at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Dr Thacker, in his opening remarks, said that the authorities coUid not reasonably place Christchurch on the same footing as Dunedin, \>j lincton, and Auckland. In these cities there was good communication between the ports and the cities, jut Christchurch was absolutely dependent on its railway, and anything that interfered with" free and adequate com- | munication between the port -in* Christchurch would have a most disastrous effect upon its prosperity. ; Mr A. Kayo, chairman of tile Lyttelton Harbour Board, said that it was now possible to show that tho inadequate train service had had a decided effect upon the trade of the port. 1' 11 months in 1916 the revenue or the Board had been £62,220, and for a similar period this year it was £50,170. He did not suggest that all this decrease was directly attributable to the curtailed train service, nit he would say that a fair proportion of the decrease was due to this cause, | which in its turn caused a of labour and such a loss of time that shipping fought shy of the port. There was also additional loss in unnecessary handling of cargo through over-car-riage, loss of time, and loss of cargo by pilferage, and lastly, the port had suffered a decided loss of reputation as a main port, which loss was a ve ,- .v serious loss indeed. W 7 ith regard. to the remedy, he thought that Mr Hilev was the man who had to be convinced, and in his own reprirt (August, 1914) he had stated that a double track tunnel between Lyttelton and Christchurch was badly needed. Tho general manager also remarked that all sorts of other improvements were needed, and his own words were sufficient to show that even under the best conditions the line was scarcely adequate for the needs of tho trade that used it. Under the circumstances he (tha speaker) thought that the traffic should be spread over a greater number of hours. He would move: "That it is imperative in the interest of trade and commerce that the Lyttelton train service bo- so far resumed as to facilitate the urgent shipping requirements of Christchurch and the surrounding districts." Mr H. frj. Bourn, representing the Canterbury Chamber of, Commerce, seconded tho motion, which he thought was not half strong enough. He almost felt that tho present trouble was a blessing in disguise, for it might teach Canterbury to wake up and fight for its rights. Mr L. M. Isitt, M.P., who support-id the resolution, said that he could assure the meeting that the Canterbury members liad done and said . overytlung that could bo dono and said in reason in connexion with increasing .the railway facilities between Christchurch ad Lyttelton. He thought there was little • hope in influencing the Minister of Railways and Mr Hiley, they must try and win over the Prime Minister and Sir JoSeph Ward. So far as the members of Parliament were concerned, thev had been turned down absolutely and in a most inconsiderate manner. Tho reply of the Minister of Railways to them was the reply of a pettifogging politician and not that of a statesman.. Tho motion was carried unanimously. The Mayor moved: "As the increased outlay on account of the delays in unloading and transmitting tho cargoes has already resulted in a material increase in the cost of living to the community of Christchurch, as a further increase appears inevitable, as the business of Christchurch is so entirely dependent on tho shipping facilities, and as the inadequate railway service is hindering the efficiency of the Department, the Minister of Railways bo urged to accede to our reasonablo demands." , Mr E. J. Howard seconded the motion, which was supported by Mr G. Witty, M.l'., and carried unanimously. Mr Geo. Scott moved: "That these resolutions be submitted to Sir Joseph Ward, Minister of Finance and Government representative on the National Efficiency Board, by deputation j Chamber of Commerce next Wednesday, the deputation to consist of all present at this meeting, members of Parliament, and other citizens and the spokesmen to be the movers and seconders of the resolutions." The resolution was seconded by Mr J. S. Struthers, supported by Mr 11. G. Ell, M.P., and carried, and the meeting terminated.