CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Evening Star, Issue 22517, 9 December 1936, Page 9

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

COUNCIL'S MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the council of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce was held last night, there being present Messrs N. R. Wilson (in the chair), J. S. Skinner, N. M. MTsaac, I. S. Cantrell, A. W. Jeavons, W. B. Cunningham, P. N. Bundle, E. H. Calder, E. T. Seymour, W. M. Cole, A. H. Allen, and H. P. West (secretary) . EXECUTIVE’S REPORT. The executive’s report stated:— Otago Boys’ High School Prizes.— Chamber of Commerce prizes donated to the Otago Boys’ High School were awarded as follow:—Senior, J. _D._S. Moore; middle, J. K. Laing; junior, D. L. Jenkins. King’s High School Prizes.—ln pursuance of the chamber’s policy to encourage education, the executive recommends payment of £2 2s this year to the King’s High School for prizes in commercial subjects. Visit of Prime Minister.—ln reply to the chamber’s letter inviting him to attend either a midday luncheon or an evening function when in Dunedin, the Prime Minister has written expressing appreciation of the invitation, and will advise later whether if is possible to accept and also the probable date of his visit. Mortgagors’ Adjustment Commission.—ln connection with the appointment of 14 adjustment commissions under the Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Act, 1936, Mr H. L. Cook, who was appointed to the Otago Commission, was congratulated, and_ assured that the announcement of his appointment was received with much satisfaction by the business community. Importation of Second-hand Sacks.— With reference to the ‘ Gazette notice placing an embargo on the importation of second-hand sacks the Associated Chambers had been requested that it communicate with the Director-general of Health and ascertain the reasons for the embargo and any particulars in regard to same that may be available. The report was adopted. MONDAY NORTHERN MAILS. A communication from the District Traffic Manager of the Railway Department advised that the department was unable to provide a train to enable northern mails to be despatched at a later hour on Mondays. Mr Somerville said the department had made out quite a good case for itself, and had given reasons why a later train could not be run on Mondays. It pointed out that there was a train on Sunday evenings, and another on Monday at 8.45 a.m., and that to run an extra train would cost £6,000 a year. Nothing was said of the loss and inconvenience to the public owing to the loss of a day in replying to mail. The position that had been created was due entirely to the introduction of recent legislation. This was not being criticised just now, but the chamber contends that the business community should not be handicapped by being deprived of a mail on Mondays, which should be so arranged as to suit the altered conditions. This aspect should not be lost sight of. He moved that the matter be referred back to the executive to be further considered. He said that the chamber wished to be reasonable in the matter, but naturally was anxious that the best interests of the business community should be maintained. It may bo that in the near future the provision of a railcar would meet the position. Mr Skinner seconded the motion, and stated that the chamber should not give up the endeavour to have a later train run on Monday mornings. Mr Bundle mentioned that they should not forget that an air mail left every Tuesday, and. arrived in the north about the same time as would other mail if carried on a later train on Mondays. The Chairman agreed that the matter should not be dropped. However, the service asked for would be run during the holidays. The motion was carried. - AUOKLAND-DTJNEDIN AIR SERVICE. A letter from the secretary of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce enclosed a copy of a letter sent to the Minister of Transport stating that at a meeting convened by the chamber and attended by representatives of local authorities in the Auckland metropolitan area, local members of Parliament, etc., the following resolution was carried:—“ That the provision of a one-day through air service from Auckland to Dunedin is of paramount importance, and that the Government and Union Airways be respectfully urged with all possible expedition to take such steps as are necessary to achieve this object, either by an extension of the existing service from Palmerston North to Auckland or by the provision of a connecting service between Auckland and Palmerston North.” The circumstance which had led to the passing of the resolution was the announcement of a time-table for the proposed air service from Auckland to Wellington which would be such as not to provide a through connection between Auckland and Dunedin. Dunedin’s support in the matter was asked. The Secretary of the Christchurch Chamber of Commerce wrote in regard to the same matter, stating that the chamber was generally favourable to the proposal to run an Auckland-Dtm-edin service, but from its point of view the question of a time-table was important. Information as to whether Dunedin supported the proposal and the time which it considered most suitable was asked for.

The Chairman said that during his visit to Wellington he called on the manager of Union Airways to ascertain whether there was any possibility of an Invercargill air mail connection with the Dunedin-Palmerston North service. It transpired that the matter had been considered, but for various reasons, mainly, however, the cost of tho service, it did not seem possible to institute the service at the moment. He also suggested the advisability of the mail plane at Timaru, as this would be a convenience in connection with the mails of Dunedin and Timaru, and would possibly lead to an increase in the number of passengers carried. It would appear, however, that the aerodrome at Saltwater Creek was not yet suitable for heavy.aircraft, although he understood extension work was at present being carried out. Mr Somerville raised the point that if the mail came right through from Auckland it would probably be 4.15 p.m. before it reached the aerodrome and * 5 o’clock before the mail was available to business people. By that time most office staffs would he away, due to the effect of legislation. It was generally agreed that the through service would bo desirable, provided that it did not place another obstacle in tho way' of Dunedin business men, and it was suggested that Union Airways should be left to work sot own tnme-tahte.. Jjb would no

doubt do so, in the interests of the business community. It was decided that no action be taken and that Union Airways bo loft to work out the time-table. TOURIST RESORTS. It was reported that the booklets advertising the tourist resorts of Otago and Southland and issued by the chamber and the Southland Progress League, supported by the City Council, Otago Harbour Board, the Automobile Association, and the Union Steamship Company, were now available, and that the preparation of a poster would be completed in a week. Arrangements were also being made for advertising in Australia and New Zealand. Mr Cunningham suggested that supplies of the "booklet should be made available to tourists arriving at Dunedin on various ships. It was decided that the suggestion be followed DEFENCE. The Chairman reported having attended a meeting called by a provisional committee of the New Zealand Defence League at Dunedin. Representatives of most city organisations were present, and the matter was fully discussed. It was intended to form a branch of the league here, and a committee was appointed to select a suitable chairman. The league would be strictly .non-party political, and its policy would be to support the defence policy of the Government, by helping to make that policy effective. The policy of the Government was to support the League of Nations, by force if necessary, and to encourage the principle of voluntary service in the defence force. At the moment the whole world was unsettled; all tbo nations appeared to be rearming at an unprecedented rate. The (British nation, having led the nations in disarmament, was to-day proportionately weaker than ever before. The position was being quickly remedied at a great cost to the United Kingdom, but meantime outlying portions of the Empire had been placed in a position of peril. It was not possible for this small Dominion to compete so far as armaments were concerned; moreover, as had been pointed out before, the population was comparatively small. New Zealand’s chief asset in defence was its manpower, which was at present mostly untrained. Every loyal citizen should encourage the youth to undergo military and physical training, which should be looked upon as a duty, and the public generally should be prepared to recognise and appreciate the services of these young men. He felt certain that every member of the chamber would agree to support the aims and policy of the Defence League. The speaker was thanked for his report. CHAMBER’S JUBILEE. As the next annual meeting would mark the fiftieth year of the chamber’s existence, said the chairman, he would suggest 1 that some fitting celebi'ation of such an important event be arranged. Members agreed that some arrangement should be made as suggested, and it was decided to refer the matter to the Entertainment Committee with a view to it taking action. TOURIST SERVICE. On the motion of Mr Somerville, it was decided to write thanking the Union Company for its in sending the Mannganui with tourists from Australia to the West Coast of the South Island. The mover remarked that business people desired the institution of a tourist service between Australia and the South Island. THANKS. The secretary of the Adelaide Chamber of Commerce wrote extending thanks for the entertainment of and courtesy to Mr W. B. Daker, its representative at the recent Wellington congress. during the subsequent tour of the Dominion.—Received.