CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Franklin Times, Volume XX, Issue 80, 14 July 1930, Page 8

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MEETING AT PAPAKURA. The Papakura Chamber of Commerce met on Wednesday evening when there were present : —Messrs T-I. E. McEntee (president), L. Thornton, A. Willis, If. Muir, F. hound. W. A. Pavilt, H. Walters, .1. Tasker. .Tas. McCall, G. Carlick. J. Meikle and G. F. McDonald (secretary). Before the business of the evening was commenced a vote of sympathy was passed to the relatives of the late Sir Joseph Ward, members standing in silence.

The president reported on a meeting he attended as a delegate in connection with (he land development league. He slated he was disappointed at the small attendance, and he learnt little more than was contained in the small pamphlet circulated. Mr F. hound, also a delegate, endorsed Mr McEntec’s remarks.

The treasurer reported a credit balance of £2l 13s 2d. One account for 1/9 was passed for payment. The Marlon chamber of commerce appealed for support in connection with an alteration to hire purchase agreements. The chamber resolved to accord its support to clause 1. the text of the resolution was as follow: “To amend chattels transfer 192 4. thereby making il compulsory for all hire purchase agreements io be registered.'' Members expressed the opinion that the time was long overdue. It. was also pointed out the matter was brought up by the chamber two years ago and that at the time ( Auckland did not take it up, but now appeared to be in earnest about it.

The secretary of the Auckland chamber of commerce forwarded a copy of a letter sent lo the Prime Minister regarding the railway system of the Dominion. The resolution, which was passed at a meeting of the executive of the chamber on July 4. was read: —“It is resolved that the chamber (Auckland) forward at once to the Prime Minister its considered opinion that the only means of satisfactorily solving the many difficulties

which at present face, the railway system of the Dominion, and especially of converting it into an effective service paying its way on proper commercial lines in the direction of at once divorcing it. rrorn political control under a commission or board of directors. This is urged at present in as much as such a question appears to be outside the order of reference submitted and the Royal Commission on the Railways, now silling." This is merely a reiteration of the view of the chamber as formulated some two years ago and approved in the following form by the 1929 conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand: “That Ibis conference would earnestly urge the Government Hi at all stale enterprises be organised and conducted as trade corporations upon the usual lines —somewhat after the manner adopted in the case of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and the Canadian Government Merchant Marine. Limited. That, in order lo place tin railway and other State Trading Departments on a true commercial basis il is. in the opinion oi this conference, desirable lhal they be entirely free from political control." Thanks to Power Board. Mr McEntee sajd the matter had come before the council and it had decided to support Hie Auckland chamber in its endeavour to bring the railways under effective business control.

Mr A. Willis said they would run better away from polities and he certainly would support the motion. Mr Muir said be thought it would be bard to divorce Hie railways from politics and in support of his contention instanced til! 1 Main ..Highways Board, it was unanimously resolved to support the Auckland Chamber's resolution lo free the railways from political control.

Mr A. Willis moved lli.il a fetter lie sent to the Auckland Electric-Power Board expressing the chamber's appreciation of the splendid way the board had risen to the occasion in supplying elect firi I y after Arapuni failed. “They tackled llm matter promptly and deserve our thanks." said Mr Willis.

Mr ,T. Meikle said the motion was only right as for twelve months thc> had been free from interruption. At one time it was always going out. at lea lime or church, time. (Laughter). Mr McEntee in supporting the motion said I hanks were undoubtedly dim to the hoard: it had given prompt attention and llm consumers loot nothing to fear. those responsible for handling llm position were to hi* eongral ulah'd. —The motion was carried.

Mr L. Thornton brought to llm Holier of the chamber a request lie had receivin'! from several residents, that the pillar box opposite die Presbyterian eimrch should !>■• renewed to a more convenient place, such as Don sq reel or Young's Beach Road. The box was undoubtedly on the wrong side of the road. It wo> alt rigid whm Hi,, level crossing was there tod me body walked on that side of the road. ]f il were placed at the. cornel- of the si.reels mentioned ii would serve ■■ large number of residents.

! Mr McEntee said il was quite a reaI sonable request and lie agreed that it i was on the wrong side of the road. • 1 Young’s Beach Road would be beti ler - Mr Oarlick complained that the afternoon mail delivery only served about two thirds of the town area and left out the other third.—lt was arranged that these two matters be dealt I with by a deputation to the local I i postmaster. i Mr Bound asked whether anything j had been clone by the town board to improve visibility at dangerous corners 'by cutting hack hedges and irees. He | said he noticed the hedge at the school l corner was growing. Mr McEntee stated that probably no action had been taken because of the clerk’s illness. He agreed it was lime something was done. •> it was resolved to give the board another “reminder/’