CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Grey River Argus, 30 April 1932, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Grey-' mouth Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon, there being present: Messrs P. J. McLean (chairman), F. W. Shallcrass, A. M. Carroll, A. I. Flett, J. W. Greenslade, F. A. Kit chingham, A Naylor, T. Topliss, J. W. Caldwell, and the Secretary, Mr M Phillips. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs W. B. Cunningham, E. McDonnell and T. A. W. Tate. The Chairman reported that the Mayor had called a public meeting of those interested in forming a Gold Prospecting Association, and at that meeting Messrs J. McKay, E. Wilson and J. Steel were appointed an Advisory Committee. He was pleased to say they were doing very good work. A deal of correspondence with Ministers of the Crown and the Unemployment Commissioner were read in connection with the Kumara JunctionFlowery Creek coastal road, the latest ( reply from the Prime Minister indicating that the Government consider- | ed the work was not one to be under i taken at this juncture. j Mr Kitchingham said that from his I letters the Prime Minister seemed to* have overlooked the fact pointed out

by the Chamber that if the Government had a monopoly of a bus service the passenger trains could be cut out. The Chairman said he thought it was worth keeping pegging at. Tie considered the Chamber should take steps to have the stamps and land offices removed to Greymouth, as the bulk of the business for those offices was from here. He had heard that a sum of five or six thousand pounds was to be expended on the DillmanstownFlowery Creek road, and if that Were the case the money could be much more profitably spent on the JunctionFlowery Creek road.

Mr Kitchingham said that if the Chamber asked for the removal of the offices referred to, they would be met by the objection that people having business with those offices were allowed, as in no other part of New Zealand, to do the business by post. People were thus not seriously inconvenienced, though some business with the stamps and lands offices still required people to attend at Hokitika. He still thought that if the Government took over the monopoly of a bus service, they could deal with all the passenger traffic easily. He moved that a reply be sent to the Prime Minister pointing out that the reason why the trains are not patronised is because of the absolute inconvenience of the service, and the fact that if the Government monopolised a bus service the passenger train service could be cut out altogether.

The motion was seconded by the Chairman and carried, the Chairman stating that the unemployed could be utilised to some advantage. Mr Greenslade said it had been suggested at a previous meeting that the Government be asked to supply to the Chamber particulars of the amount of the coal importations. These figuies were very necessary if the Chamber was to watch the coal industry. The Chairman said the Secretary was in communication with the Minister of Mines in the matter. Mr Greenslade suggested that a subcommittee be set up to acquaint themselves with all the difficulties of the coal industry on the Coast, so that they would be prepared to place something definite before the Minister of Mines when his proposed visit to the Coast eventuated. He suggested further that an advisory committee might be set up in Greymouth to act in conjunction with the Minister in Wellington regarding the distribution of coal and all things affecting the industry here

It was resolved that Messrs F. A. Kitchingham. J. S. Robertson and J. McKay be a committee to interview the Minister of Mines relative to Coast mining matters. Mr Greenslade stated that the Government had asked all districts to put forward concrete proposals to the Minister of Mines, so that the unemployed intent on prospecting could’ be put to work in opening up new country. The idea was to have them advised by a competent man in going into virgin country. Tt was resolved that the Government be urged to proceed with the geologi-

cal survey of an area in the vicinity of Rotomanu immediately. The Chairman was deputed to arrange a deputation to wait on the Unemployment Commissioner or his representative when he visits Greymouth. The Chairman said that the Unemployment Board was anxious to give assistance in the draining of suitable lands, and if any on the West Coast could be suggested, they should be. Other districts were acting in the matter and if the Wfest Coast did not. they would be left without getting anything done. The Secretary of the Unemployed Committee wrote asking for a donation towards the Mayor’s Fund to assist in aiding necessitous cases. It was resolved that no donation be made owing to the state of the finances of the Chamber. The Chairman referred to the fact that people when renewing native leases had also to get new mortgages. This should not be, as it was costing the public a considerable amount of money. He had interviewed the Native Trust Officer in Wellington, and he had promised his assistance. The Government had special legislation to deal with the renewal of State advances, whereby the mortgages had not to be renewed. It the matter were adjusted the Native lessees would be saved a considrable sum.

Mr Kitchingham said that when a native lease ran out the lessees must renew it with the addition of two or three mortgages, and also registrations and consent fees. The State Advances Office had departmental legislation, whereby no mortgages had to be renewed. The Law Society had taken the matter up some time ago, but the Government had then stated that the charge was at that time inexpedient.

It was resolved on the motion of the Chairman, and Mr Naylor, that the Government be urged to have the previsions of the State Advances Act ii regard to the carrying forward of encumbrances on the renewal of leases made available under the Nelson and Westland Native Reserves Act, 1887. In reply to a query from the Chairman as to the effect of the recent timber tariff announcements of the Government. Mr Caldwell stated that it seemed they had increased the duty on the United States product and had left it as before on Canadian timber. The tariffs would not be of much use to the local timber industry.