WEST COAST.TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18629, 9 February 1924, Page 10

WEST COAST.TRADE.

EFFECT ■OF. OTIRA TUNNEL. CONCERN IN WELLINGTON. [B*\ TKLEGKAPH.—PBiSS ASSOCIATION.] , ' WELLINGTON. . Friday. Since the opening of the Otira tunnel, Wellington , business men have become seriously concerned at the prospect of being deprived of a long-standing and lucrative trade with West Coast districts. With a view of combating the formidable rivalry of Canterbury, a meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce has been held. Mr. Myers, who presided, said that Wellington was now losing the West Coast trade, which she had held for 50 years. As regards passenger traffic, competition, via Nelson, m compared with the tunnel route, was out of the question, as there was over £2 difference in the fares. It was with cargo traffic that they were chiefly concerned. He thought that if a preferential tariff "was given to Canterbury it would be unfair, as other competitors would be "frozen out."

Other speakers pointed out that the West Coast was the most important coal centre in the Dominion, and it was necessary that Wellington should maintain her trade with those parts. The proposal to giva preference to Christchurch merchants had been received with general surprise. Mr. I. C. Brash said that he thought that a regular steamer -service with the West Coast should be established.

'Mr. Leigh Hunt said that the feeling in the West Coast towns varied. At Westport they were loyal to Wellington. At Greymouth some were staunch, while others were lukewarm, while in Hokitika they seemed to turn naturally to Christchurch, as they had abandoned their harbour scheme. After further discussion it was decided to appoint a special committee to deal with the subject. TUNNEL RATE QUESTION. NO DECISION REACHED. , [BY TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.] CHBISTCHUBCH. Friday. The Minister for Railways, Hon. J. G. Coates, said to-day that he was not able to state definitely when the , change in the control of the Otira tunnel would take place, but he would consider the reports before he returned to Wellington on February 23. The matter of a special tunnel rate was a very difficult one, and he . would not say more than : that there would be considerable reductions in goods charges when the Railway Department took over the tunnel erection. No' decision had been reached regarding the question of a special rate.