THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12818, 18 March 1905, Page 5

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND HARBOUR BOARD.

'At a. meeting of the Council of tho Chamber of Commerce- held yesterday- afternoon the question of improvements in the Auckland Harbour, as provided by Mr. Hamor's scheme, came up for discussion. It was ultimately resolved, on the motion of Mr. McCallurn, "That in tho opinion of this Chamber the Auckland Harbour Board should not have submitted other than technical and engineering matters to Messrs. Hay and Ferguson, and therefore protests against the order of reference."

It was proposed by Mr. Upton, ''That in the opinion of this Chamber any suggested change by tho Harbour Board in the receiving of cargo would prove inconvenient and injurious to the business of tho port."

Mr, J. Roid said that for many years this question had been before tho Chamber in various forms, but had never yet been settled. He did not think that the Chamber should interfere in the matter.

Mr. Aickin, in supporting Mr. Reid's contention, said.that the Chamber was divided on tho question.

Mr. Mennie said that the opinion of the majority of the importers, who paid most of the charges, was that the present mode of receiving and delivering cargo in Auckland should be adhered to. When they had a quarrel with tho shipowners they wanted to settle it between themselves, and did not want a third party to come in, especially when tho latter would bo hound up with "red tape."

Mr. Macfarlane said that he was strongly opposed to tho Harbour Iscan 3 coming in as receivers and deliverer!; of cargo. : Mr. Mc-('alium supported the motion, staring thai it, was tho general opinion that it would 'bo. a great mistake for the Harbour Board to interfere with the present arrangements for the receipt and delivery of cargo.. The motion was carried. -• ' •