CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 154, 1 June 1937, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

LOCAL BODY MERGERS. A DOMESTIC MATTER. The Feilding Chamber of Commerce met. last evening, when there were present: Messrs A. ,J. Humphreys (president), T. Collins (Mayor), D. Finlay (stationmaster), C. M. Sargisson, G. H. Hooper. V. E. Smith, A. C. McCorkindale, G. J. Fitzpatrick (secretary). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs J. B. Purcell, P. Desmond and A. C. Buist. Arising out of a letter from the Associated Chambers of Commerce regarding the Local Bodies Amalgamation Bill, it was decided to reply stating that the matter was one tor the local bodies themselves and not one which the chamber should deal with. The chairman said that, as far as the Oroua County Council was concerned, he could not see that uny benefit would result by its amalgamation with a.ny other local body, because it already was being conducted most economically. It appeared, however, that it was a question as to whether or not the ratepayers in tlie Oroua county should bear a. share of the burden of less fortunate counties. Ratepayers in tho Oroua county had paid higher prices for their land and central position than those farming in less productive and inconvenient localities. Under the amalgamation scheme all counties) would be treated the sa.mo, and some of those in the rough country would receive benefits. Mr Sar'gisson said that a few years aero the tendency had been to increase the numiser of local bodies, and he thought'that on the East Coast benefits would accrue through amalgamation. . The discussion then lapsed. TRANSPORT CHARGES.

Mr Fitzpatrick was appointed delegate to represent the chamber at a meeting to no held to discuss the question or ‘the fixation of transport charges. Mr Humphreys said there was a prospect ot the Government taking over the Feilding-Wellington roau transport license and business men were vitally concerned about the matter. 11l effect it would mean that competition would be eliminated in lavour of the railways, and lie thought that the community should be safeguarded against a railway monopoly, mismess houses found it convenient to make use of the more . speedy road service, .and it appeared that tney were to be deprived of it. Besides, the road service was cheaper in its charges than the railway service, and while the truck system was a good one as far as Palmerston North was concerned, Feilding did not benefit to the same extent. There was no truck service from Feilding to Wellington, and goods for Wellington had to be sent to 1 alinerston North by a feeder road service which involved delay in the goods despatched. He cited a co.se in which by rail service goods which were despatched at 5 p.ni. one afternoon were not delivered in Wellington next morning, whereas by road transport they were. The maintenance of the latter service was important to the business community. . . Mr Humphreys was of the opinion that the best interests of the community would be served by a reasonable decree of license to the existing services over the 30-mile limit, and a motion on those lilies was passed against the proposed removal of an essential service It was decided to advise the Associated Chambers of tho chambers motion. “Feildinc.” added the speaker, is peculiarly situated in having to compete with the truck service to Palmerston North, but while the existing road service is in private hands we have a reasonable degree of safety.

Mr Finlay said that in Australia route road licenses were only issued fpr a distance of 30 miles, and that as far as Feilding was concerned most of the goods ca.me from Palmerston North. A BRIGHTER RAILWAY STATION.. Mr Fitzpatrick suggested that representations should be made to the Railway Department asking that a light be installed in front of the railway station at night. He said that the station presented a gloomy appearance at] night; it was inadequately lighted. Replying, Mr Finlay said that there was already a light in the front porch or the minding, but he would note Mr Fitzpatrick’s remarks and represent the matter to the department. Mr Collins said that it was the colour the building was painted that was unattractive, but there was no chance of getting that altered; the departmen had a regulation colour for the painting of all railway stations. “They could be painted more attractively, though,” concluded the Mayor. MONEY ORDER COUNTER. That customers should bo forced to do business at the Money Order counter at the Post Office in full view of those waiting to be attended to was n matter brought up by Mr Fitzpatrick, who said he had been told that a person bad been seen to draw an amonut of £l4 by way of a pension. That such information should become public knowledge was, in the speaker’s i opinion, unsatisfactory. Pensions, money orders, withdrawals from savings bank business, etc., were handled over the counter openly. Such transactions should" be done privately. It was decided to report the complaint to the P. and I. Department, asking that cubicles or grilles be provided to ensure privacy in'the transaction of these classes of business.