CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13484, 10 May 1907, Page 6

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

A meeting of the Chamber of Commerce Council was held yesterday afternoon, when there 'were resent: ' Messrs. N. A. Nathan (president), L. J. Bagnall, J. M. Mennie, S. Nathan, A. B. Roberton,.J. B. Macfarlano, H. P. Oakden, W. Gunson, B. Kent, J. H. Upton, T. Peacock, W. J. W. Philson, Graves Aickin, J.Reid, and A. Burt.

; Contract Delivery From Railways: The letter from the Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Minister for Railways, replying to the Chamber's protest against the abolition of delivery, under, contract, of goods from Auckland railway, station, which letter has already been published, was road at the meeting and received, the president remarking that th« Chamber's only objection was the very short notice of the change, which allowed merchants no chance to make other arrangements. ■-. ■ ' .'..' ' . „ .-.

Manukau Canal: The President reported to the Chamber the result of the deputations which waited on the Hon. J. .A. Millar,; Minister for Marine, and the Hon. G. Fowlds, with regard to the proposed Waitemata-Manukau canal. Sir. ,J„ M. Mennie related the history of the canal movement, and .said if the Harbour Board took over the control of Manukau Harbour it could easily take-over the worlk of the canal. Engineers wore surprised to see how simply and easily a canal might be 'cut. Both Mr. Millar and Mr. Fowlds had promised their support to the project.., . Ongarue-Stratford Railway: The Ohura Settlers' Association forwarded ' cony of a resolution asking the -Chamber of Commerce to again urge on tHoTAuckland members the necessity of keeping before the Government the; urgency of. commencing the Ongarue-Stratford.railway from *■' the Ocgarue end as soon as portion; of the plant from the Main Trunk. was available, which would be in about, nine months. Mr. Peacock mentioned that the Government had decided not to undertake any more branch lines until the present works were completed. Mr. Bobertdh said the Chamber should urge the Government to, have the route surveyed. It was a question whether the line should: go from Ongarue or Te Kuiti. The meeting decided to bring the matter before Auckland members prior to their doparturo for Parliament. Bankruptcy Act: Mr. Roberton moved, "That a special committee, consisting of Messrs..N. A. Nathan, Ivor Evans, M. M. McCallum, W. Gunson, and the mover, be appointed to formulate further 'suggestions for amendment of the Bankruptcy Act. The motion was carried.without discussion. Goods Shed Accommodation: Mr. B. Kent, reporting on behalf of the Railway Committee, said complaints of tho same discomfort and serious inconvenience were still being received in connection with the goods sheds. Whatever minor steps might have been taken to provide facilities, the vital question of adequately increased accommodation suitable for the requirements of the city had not bf.en touched, and the need for enlargement was still as groat as ever. ;..', The committee recommended that strong representation should be made to the Minister' for Railways by a deputation of, tho whole Chamber. The report was adopted. ■■-;■. >■■ i Unsightly Building: Mr. Kent said tho next matter was the wretched little wooden building at the railway platform. The Railway Committee would like tho Chamber to take immediate steps to induce the Government to order a complete removal of the unsightly structure, which, in its unfinished state, looked like a hen house. It was decided to urge tho Railway Department to remove the building. : ; , Annual Dinner:. The matter of arrangements for the annual dinner prior to the departure of Parliamentary representatives for Wellington was deferred till next meeting. " - Tariff Revision: The question of consideration of recommendation- in regard to tariffs was brought up, But it was agreed to defer; consideration till a future meeting. , . . ,