TRANSPORTING- PROBLEMS

Evening Star, Issue 19407, 16 November 1926, Page 4

TRANSPORTING- PROBLEMS

RAILWAYS AND THEIR USES

COMMERCIAL MEN FAVOR ADVISORY BOARDS.

Whole-hearted support to the proposal of tho Minister of Railways to form local advisory hoards was given by the Council of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce last night, when copies of the proposals were received. The chamber decided to call a meeting, when informed by the department, to form a Dunedin board. Mr Peter Hercus (secretary)_ said that the letters had been considered by the executive, which had decided to ask other-chambers what action would be taken. They had replied that the matter would ho more fully considered later. A suggestion had been made that the South Island chambers should discuss the proposal at the conference in Wellington. The Otago Expansion League wrote favoring the scheme, although it considered it top heavy. Tho league would join in the holding of a public conference. Mr Greig (railway commercial agent) said he could throw very little more light on the proposal. > The department welcomed co-operation at any time, and would be pleased to have representatives of its department attending the meetings. Mr H. P. West, district traffic manager, quoted remarks on the divisional advisory boards in the United States, similar to tho English local boards. The aim was to make tho meeting of traders and tho railways on the same footing with the end of reaching amicable agreements on all matters of interest. Indian reports were also read to show that advisory boards were functioning. The Railway Department felt it would be a good thing, although not new, for users and tho department to get together. The time might _ arrive when the chamber would consider such a board expedient and advantageous, and the proposal should have tbeir support. Mr J. Taylor said the Minister was to be congratulated on his proposals. It was very refreshing to find Government departments wanting to take the public into their confidence, and the same spirit on the part of tho Telegraph and Telephone Department would be welcomed. Transport was now in a state of flux. Twenty-five years ago tho railways held a monopoly of the transport, but with the growth of tho motor vehicle traffic problems of a serious nature must be confronting these responsible for the success of the railways. He moved that the chamber call a conference of bodies proposed by the Minister to formulate the board. The motion was seconded by Mr Park and carried.