CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 October 1928, Page 3

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

PURE FOODS ACT.

(Per Press Association.)

* WELLINGTON, October 15. At the closing session of the Associated Chambers of Commerce to-day, Mr Ro’sevear (Invercargill) moved that manufacturers only of goods under the 1 Pure Foods Act be held responsible for the standard of their goods, and that all prosecutions be instituted against the manufacturers and not against the retailers. This was criticised on the ground that rriariy goods deteriorated owing to the way in which they were sold bv retailers and' others. Further though good in theory, the proposal was impracticable as many manufacturers were firms abroad. The remit Was referred to the Executive, with power to act, in conjunction with the Health Department. A Canterbury remit was carried, which has as its aim legislation to enable charters to be granted to incorporated land banks or similar institutions somewhat on the lines of the joint stock land banks in’ the United States.

TRANSPORT COMPETITION.

WELLINGTON, October 15.

An address was delivered to-day to the Asociated Chambers of Commerce by Mr Sterling (Railways Manager) on the question of transport. Much of the dissatisfaction witfh the railways, ■ he said, was not well grounded. Much of the matter spoken and published day by day was propaganda by the get-rich-quick Wallingfords skimming off the cream of the high-class transport, leaving the skim milk to the Railways. Mr Sterling pointed out that the Government could not adopt the uneconomic methods often resorted to by private enterprise in such Cases, as the cry immediately arose of monopoly. Mr Sterling, however, did not defend the methods taken by private enterprises to crush opposition. He condemned them. The time had come for a national stocktaking in regard to transport. Motor transport had come to stay. It could undoubtedly render great service as a feeder to the railways, but as a substitute he contended it was asolutely impossible, as shown by the illuminating figures in the Public Works Statement. If the Railways were closed down and trust placed entirely in motors, the country would be up against not only an econtfrfnc but a physical impossibility. Under present conditions, the motors were simply preying upon the community, in his opinion. If they were made to pay a fair share towards the roads, which they were not doing at present,, New Zealand would arrive at a solution of the transport problem.