NELSON NEWS.

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21255, 29 August 1934, Page 18

NELSON NEWS.

PROPOSAL TO INCREASE POPULATION FORMATIQN-OF A 20,000 CLUfi SUGGESTED (SPECIAL *0 THE t>fc M ß.) , NELSON, August 28 A proposal for the formation of » Nelson 20,000 Club, having as its ob ject increasing Nelson's population tii 20,000, was placed before a meetine of the Chamber of Commerce h v th president, Mr B. Trathen. ye Mr Trathen said all would agree that Nelson had many facilities and ad vantages which other towns of simiw size lacked. It had one of the heJ climates in the world, its educations facilities were excellent, tourist at tractions abounded, and the city iv-k clean and bright, with well-kept narks and reserves. The city was worth » population of 20,000. He gave showing the increase in population in various towns from 1927 to 1932 it follows: M ' as w i Per cent Nelson .. .. .. 5 Palmerston North ..13 Timaru .. .. ..71 Gisborne .. .. ..7 Hastings .. .. t. 11 Wanganui .. .. ..211 Christchurch .. ~ 5* /j Wellington .. ..121*' Auckland .. .. .. ' 8 Mr Trathen's suggestion was to In. vite delegates from all institution! which could help to a meeting to discuss the proposal. A spasmodic effort would be of little use—a long, strong pull would be necessary. After a short discussion it was decided to call a meeting as suggested, A letter was received from the Gore Chamber of Commerce protesting against the amount of intimate financial details and returns required by various State departments, particularly about motor transport, and asking for any available information on such matters in Nelson. Mr L. E. Baigent said the most dangerous feature of the returns required was that they could be used against a man or firm furnishing them. It was not fair that a man should be called upon to give evidence against himself. Government requirements necessitated the keeping of records which would not generally be kept in books. Mr J. G. Ingram said it was Impossible to give all the details required without the employment of extra staff by firms. The supplying of details and figures to Government departments had reached a limit The Gore chamber is to be advised that Nelson is in sympathy with the' protest. Shoals of Carp For the first time in many years thousands of young carp have made their appearance in a large pond at the Queen's Gardens this spring. The small fish can be seen in large snoak Their movements in formation have fascinated many %'isitors to the gard* ens. Recently the City Council improved the water supply to the pond, ; and it is thought that the greater quantity of fresh water has resulted in natural restocking of the pond. Seagulls take heavy toll of both the small and larger fish. Direct Steamer Service A direct passenger steamer between Nelson and Wanganui during the summer holiday period was a proposal contained in a letter received by the Nelson Chamber of Commerce from the Wanganui chamber, which considered such a service would promote interchanges of visits by Nelson and Wanganui residents who at present found the rail and boat fares too expensive. Nelson's co-operation was sought. The president said he had approached a shipping company, which was now considering the matter. Fruit Board Election Mr H. E. Stephens, producers' representative on the New Zealand Fruit Export Control Board, addressed a meeting of fruit growers in the Stok? Hall in his campaign for re-election to the board. An endeavour had been made, he said, to undermine the position of the board's London manager, and a large amount of correspondence had been passing between the London brokers and the growers here The board had great confidence in Mr H. Turner, its London manager, and considered that he was doing admirable work for the growers under very trying conditions; but unless the growers supported the board Mr Turner's position would become untenable and the broker would be dictating the policy. Mr Stephens outlined his attitude on the single agency policy of 1933, which he said had been endorsed by the growers. He still believed that the arguments used in favour then were as sound to-day as when put to the growers, and that the economic conditions had militated against success. However, as a majority of the growers was insistent on the panel of brokers, the speaker was prepared to support that on the understanding that it must be a panel that would work in co-operation with the board's London manager. Discussing pooling, Mr Stephens said that personally he much preferred to get his own account of sales; but as a board member he recognised that he had to take a wider view. He considered that under present marketing conditions it was better for the industry as a whole that pooling should be put into effect. His vote would go in that direction.