CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 32, 7 February 1907, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THE ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was proceeded with after we went to press yesterday afternoon. The following were elected the council for the ensuing year : — Messrs, G. W. Shirtcliffo, J. M'Lellan, A. X Pearce, D. J. Nathan, G. Wilson, W. G. Duthio, E. G. Pilcher, J. G. Harkness, W. Allan, J. B. MacEwan, W. B. Lees, and W. L. Meek. BANK HOLIDAYS. Mi. G. Wilson moved a resolution re-affirming tho views oppressed at the last annual meeting in respect of the excessive number of holidays that are taken by tho banks trading in New Zealand, nnd desiring tho council to tako every opportunity of seeking a reduction of their number. Tho motion was seconded by Mr. T. Ballinger and carried, Mr. Aitken tnovod :— '"That Strong representations bo made- to the Government as to the great inconvenience suflored by the public owing to the inadequacy of the accommodation provided at the Wellington railway stationi and that it be urged that the question of the locality of the station be at once decided, and that immediate steps steps be taken for the erection • of a now station on a scale commensurate ■with the requirements of the present and prospective traffic of this city." j Speaking to the motion he expressed the hope that when the Government decided to build a new station it would keep the passenger station whore >it now stands, so as not to interfere with the tramway- system. All Wbuld agree that the present station was almost & disgrace to the Empire City, and it was : high ,time the citizens of Wellington arose' in their .strength to tell the Government of the necessity for paying attention to Wellington in this respect. (Hear, hear). Tho station was altogether out of date and inadequate for the work that had to be carried on. Inci* dentally he complained that tho duplication of the Hutt railway was bcjng earned out in a slow and wasteful manner, but when completed it would mean a largo increase of traffic. Further", when the 'Ma.Aaw&tn railway was acquired the passengers on that line would come to this station, ana provision would havo'tO'be mado for them. (Applause). ' ' Mr. W., G. Foster seconded, romarking that the station Svas not only inadequate but as ill-conceived as one could imagine. (Hear, hear). The motion was generally agreed to and carried unanimously. Mr. D. T. Stuart suggesting that tho new council of tho chamber should call a public meeting t<s consider the question. TRAINS TO TE ARO. ; Mr. H. Beauohamp moved :-*-"That, while members appreciate the relief resulting from ,tho -discontinuance of a large number of daily trains on the Te Aro section 6i railway, this chamber is still of Opinion that in the interests of tho colony as- a wholo, as well as of tho i city of Wellington, the line should be entirely removed, as it is evident that the sqrvice is being conducted at a serious loss, ' and passenger ti'afnc is provided far by th^ municipal (electric( electric tramways.' 1 The railway, he said, was built on the request cf a sn.~ll section of people in To Aro. It had nevei* been used tor goods traffic. The tramways had since been built, and there tfas no further necessity for it. Ho could only characterise the lino as a damnablo nuisance. (Applause and laughter). Serious accidents had already happen- 1 ed, and more serious ones would probably happen in future. Very few passengers travelled on it, and the railway also impeded the- traffic at the Queen's Wharf. The motion was seconded by Mr. J. M'Lellan. * " Mr. C. W. Jones said tho Government was not in a position to pull up the line yet, as a siding was to bo put down to enable the dock contractor to get his material to tho dock site. If the resolution was carried, therefore, the Government would have a very complete answer to it. • Mr. G. Winder opposed the motion, Urging that the line was of very great value and use to Te Aro, which could bring a very big deputation to tho Government to put forward tho other sido ot the question. If a goods shed was provided at Te Aro it would bo a great convenience. Mr. W. Ferguson urged that the railway ought to be removed. The fact that a siding was to be constructed to tho dock site need not interfere with the passing of the resolution. Such a siding would only be used for the purpose specified, and 6nly tws or three trains a day would be required. The motion Was carried, Mr. Windef being the only dissentient, GENERAL. On the motion of Mr. W. Allan, seconded by • Mr. J. G. Harkness, tho' council was again authorised to offer prizes for the city schools to an amount not exceeding £26, on the same basii as those of last year. ■Mr. D. Jones* moved i— ' "That the council be requested to appoint a Bpecial committee to examine into tho Working of the existing law relating to bankruptcy, and, if deemed desiraole, to formulato suggestions for its amendment." The motion Was seconded by Mr t H. C. Tewsley, who declared that the mode of administering bankrupt estates required attention. — The motion was carried. The honorary auditors. Messrs, C. P. Powles and F. W. Haybittlo, were reappointed and thanked for thoir services. SECRET COMMISSIONS'. Mr. Barber moved :— "That, in reference to the presentation mado by the grand jury, tho incoming council be urged to make representations to the Government to introduce such legislation as shall make the giving of commissions which are secret and in the nature of bribes, illegal. Mr. D. J. Kathan seconded the motion. Mi*. Tewsley urged that it would be betted to merely fefet the matter to the incoming cbunr.it, to make such representations to the Government as its thought proper. Mr. Benuchamp moved an amendment on the lipes suggested by Mr. Tewslfey, and it Was seconded by Mr. sP«Wfiley, Mr. D. J. Nathan said tho fact was that bribes were offered to servants of Arms and public bodies fat- the sako of orders. That ought to be stopped. •Mr. Barber withdrew his mfttion and tho amendment was carried. Tho meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to tho president

"Scarehioiigering" teems much hi vogue in British military circles. Writing to Lord tVemycd, Lord Wolfceley « sftys :-»■ "'t'ho dny will como when England will violently and (suddenly lose her farmer lighting renown to such an unmistakable extent thftfc , tlio wlucky flshwites will march uhon Dowmng-etrcet, nnd if they can catch its mudt Inmates, will r*nd them. One \)h'tly is us bad ns tho other, and I hopft and pray thttt whtn ttye national misfortune of 1 -a great defeat' at eea overtake^ us, followed by tlie irtva6idn of England or Ireland— very possibly tho latter — that John Bull will turn and rend tlio jiwers and talker* who prevent Us from being prepared to meet invasion."