CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 189, 15 July 1925, Page 7

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the council of the Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon, the president, Mr H. L. Young, occupying the chair. There were also present: Messrs J. JO’Shea, J. H. Stevens, H. B. Free, A. Dawson, J'. P. Stubbs, J. Carter, J. R. Wood, French and Noedl. A welcome was accorded by the chairman to Mr A. McNeill, business agent for the Railway Department, who was present to explain matters in connection with the railways and the new tariff. New members elected were: Messrs A. T. Bendall and L. R. Freeman. The resignation of Mr W. McK. Jeffries, owing to his removal to Auckland, was accepted with regret. RAILWAY COAL THROUGH FOXTON. The Foxton Chamber of Commerco wrote enquiring whether the Palmerston North body was prepared to cooperate with the writers in again urging upon the Railway Department the desirability of procuring its coal through the port of Foxton. The writers added that they considered the time for such a move most opportune. The chairman stated that the chamber had made representations on the matter previously, but, owing to it being a long time ago, he could not remember what the department’s reply had been. Mr J. J. O’Shea, the staticmmaster, mentioned that the Railway Department’s objection to the proposal had been because of the irregularity of the boat service to Foxton. The matter was left in the hands of the chairman. NEW ZEALAND TRADE MARK. The Associated Chambers of Commerce wrote advising that consequent upon the advices received from various affiliated bodies, representations had been made to the Minister of Industries and Commerce that it was desirable to identify New Zealand produce whenever possible, and to that end the writers bad recommended that the letters “N.Z.” could in safety be added' in all cases, and also that, where practicable, the fern-leaf design should bo included. The Minister and the department had favourably viewed the suggestion, but desired to know the opinion of the chief exporters of products on this matter. In particular, it was desired to know whether or not such exporters would agree to the addition suggested, and, for that reason, the writers desired the chamber to obtain the opinions of those affected in this distriot.

The secretary, Mr W. McKenzie, was instructed to supply the desired information .

ADDITIONAL NIGHT EXPRESSES

Reference to the desirability of a night express between Wellington and New Plymouth, to connect with a Wel-lington-Napier train at Palmerston North, was contained in a communication from the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, which body reported that, after going carefully into the matter, it had urged the Minister of Railways to gi’.c his careful consideration to the proposals, which the writers believed were perfectly feasible and would be of mutual benefit to the department and the public. As the matter was considered of great interest to the business community of Palmerston North, the writers asked that the chamber lend its support. The proposals, stated the writers in conclusion, were being submitted to the Chambers of Commerce between New Plymouth and Palmerston North and the Wellington, Napier and Hastings bodies. The chairman commented that the proposal was a far reaching one. Mr J. Carter: It has got to come. On the chairman’s suggestion, it was decided to leave the matter in his an<l Mr Carter’s hands to look into and report to the next meeting. MAIL FACILITIES. The matter of utilising a motor service from Paekakariki to Palmerston North for the purpose of carrying mails for stations between these two places (inclusive) was mentioned in a letter from Mr A. T. Markman, secretary to the Post and Telegraph Department, who advised that, after careful investigation, it was regretted that the request made by the president could not be given effect to, as it was considered that the gain to the public was not commensurate with the expenditure involved. The writer added that arrangements had been made for the despatch of additional mails to Palmerston North from Otaki and Levin on and after the 12th instant as followOtaki, 12.20 p.m.; Levin, 1.30 p.m.; arrive Palmerston 'North 3.33 p.m. This, it was considered, would obviate the previous delay on correspondence, on which matter the chamber had made representations recently. The letter was received without comment. AMENDING LEGISLATION DESIRED. The Napier Chamber of Commerce advised that it had drawn the attention of the Minister of Labour to a serious anomaly in the Wages Protection and Contractors’ Liens Act whereby, owing to the non-fulfillment of a contract by a contractor, the lien holders lost the protection supposedly afforded by the Act, and asking that the chamber assist in making any further representations it might consider necessary towards securing the necessary amendment. Tho chairman said that, if figures supplied by the Napier Chamber were correct, some amendment was desirable. . Mr Carter mentioned that he knew of cases similar to one cited by tho writers. It <vas decided that Mr Carter report on the matter ,to the next meeting. OTHER MATTERS. The Manawutu Competitions’ Society wrote soliciting a donation towards its prize fund. —It was pointed out that individual business firms had already been approached and that it would * be unwise for the chamber to create a precedent; consequently, it was decided to advise the society that a donation could not bo made. The Canterbury Progress League wrote asking for support of the matter of the completion of the South Island Main Trunk railway. —Received. In connection with the date of the annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, it was decided to fall in line with whatever date is suggested by the city chambers.