BUSINESS TOPICS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10509, 10 February 1920, Page 6

BUSINESS TOPICS

DISCUSSED YESTERDAY ■CBNTHAL CHAMBER. OF COMMERCE, MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the Wellington Central Chanvber of Commerce was held yesterday, the- president (Mr C. M. Luke) being in the. chair. There Were also present: Messrs A. Leigh Hunt (vicepresident), P. Castle, W. Cotton, P. Holmes, T. I'orsytli, and H. W. Tolan. A report as to the present position of the WeUlington branch of the Expansion League was received. MINISTER POR PUBLIC WORKS. Tine Mangaiwo Hydro-Electric Powor League wrote, advising of resolutions carried at their last meeting ottering co. operation. Air W. Cotton said tihait the Government should be urged to appoint a Public Works Minister at once, with tlio object of pushing on with the Mangahao electric power sciheme, as Lower Hutt was already devising a' schemo to carry out the lighting of the borough from their water plant, at tiho same time wait, ing for the big scheme to ibe cstaMisheri and eventually linked up. Mr Holmes: Oive the Prime Jhtnstei a chance; he has not got on ihis feet yet. Mr Cotton: Well, he ought to wake up soon. . Mr Luke was of the opinion that the Government was han'ginj; fire .because of doiibt as to wirat scihemes were to bo prosecuted. He hoped, however, to see the Mangahao scheme pushed on. with, all possible speed. ELECTRIFICATION OF RAILWAYS. Messrs W. Cotton (convener) Hardy Shaiw, F. Castle, and T. Forsyth were appointed to -wait on Mr R. McViily, General Manager of Hallways, to urge upon him the necessity of electrifying the Wellington suburban railway system. The date of the conference is to be announced later. EXPANSION' LEAGUE.

A report was received from th© Expansion League stating the present position of the Wefllington rbrancn, and .the following motion for consideration froih the MarHwrougih Chamber of Commerce:— "That the progress committee of tho Marlborough Chamber of Commerce immediately affiliate "Mtthl the .Progress iComimiifctee of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, with a view to establishing a solid combination of forces to the better advancement of our respective districts.'''

On the motdon of the chairman, tho matter was (held over until: the visit of the Wellington Chamber to Marlborough. PBOGBESS LEAGUE ACTIVITY.

The chanilber's representative on "the Central Progress League, Mr Luke, reported that matters lhad been progressing as fast as was anticipated, and that n was a difficult task to arouse the interest of the city people. He was not downhearted, and mentioned that a meeting of the league would ibe. held in the Town Hall this evening for the purpose of launching the Wellington .branch of the league. A. well-known business gentle. man told Mr Luke last week that when the Canterbury branch of the Progress League was first launched, it was afco a hard task to gain the enthusiasm of the people. Mr Luke paid a warm tribute to the Press for their assistance in the inauguration of ibhe league. NO IMPORT LICENSES.

H.M. Trade Comimiissioner advised that import licenses were not required at the present time respecting the shipment of certain goods to the United Kingdom. It •was resolved to forward a copy of the Trade Commissioner's letter to members of the chamber. "