RAILWAY v. MOTOR.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VII, Issue 330, 29 November 1917, Page 7

RAILWAY v. MOTOR.

NAPIER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. CHARGED WITH INCONSISTENCY. COUNTY COUNCIL INDIGNANT Yesterday, at the H.B. County Council meeting, the following letter 'was received from the Napier Cham- , Ix-r of Commerce : — I “In reference to your letter ot I October 9th., asking the Chamber s ' co-operation in seeking a reduction ’ of railway freights to compete witu the motor lorry traffic, 1 am directed 'to reply as follows : My Committe, i while fully realising that there is I ample room for more direct and busi[nesslike methods in the Railway Department, are firmly of the opinion I that the motor lorry transport nas come to stay. The facilities ottered and the saving in the handling of -goods so carried will far outweign anv reduction in freights that mig-nt be obtained. They would therefore suggest that the remedy lies in the council’s own domain, "and that by putting the roads into a state of permanent efficiency a considerable reduction in the haulage cost of lorries could be effected, and a very rca. and permanent benefit provided lor the whole district. This matter ot roads in Hawke’s Bay is a very urgent and necessitous problem, and this chamber is anxiously awaiting the announcement of a. forward policy from the council to meet the pressing needs- of the public."

The County chairman (Mr. T. E. Crosse) said he was sorry the letter had come to them in this form, because it reflected on the Natiopal ! Government and every other party ■before them. It was practically asserting that the action of the Governments in this country in borrowing £40,000,000 for railways was a failure. At the. same time the chamber of Commerce was trying to get ■ the Government- to construct the iEast Coast Railway. Such a glarI ing case of inconsistency had rarely i been seen in the Dominion. I Cr. Mason Chambers said he thought it was the most foolish letter that had ever been sent out by a body of men. From the letter it would seem that no more railways , should be built. The letter was received. | The letter above .referred to was I sent out by the committee of the Na-! pier Chamber of Commerce, and not i by a general meeting of the Chamber.