CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22424, 20 November 1934, Page 6

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Council of the Dunedin ' Chamber of Commerce was held last night. The president (Mr C. B. Barrowclough) presided, and there were also present Messrs J. L. Gardiner, W. H. Brent, C. J. Darracott, M. Stewart, J. Madden. H. V. Lawry, A. H. Allen, H A. Newall, C. Baker, H. L. Gibson, I.‘H. Penrose, G. S. Kirby, S. L. Laing, B. E. Nicolson, H. Naylor, A. C. Laing, H. L. Longbottom, H. J. Guthrie, N. R. Wilson, E. T. Seymour, B. Armit, G. Deans Ritchie, and A. C. Cameron. NEW MEMBER WELCOMED. The chairman extended a welcome to Mr J. W. Madden, the new postmaster at Dunedin. He expressed the belief that the chamber would receive froni Mr Madden the same co-operation as from his predecessor, and mentioned that lie would probably have the satisfaction during his term of office of seeing all the postal facilities in the city gathered into one building. ’’ Mr Madden suitably replied. TRIBUTE TO MR ALLEN. The chairman said he had the privilege of presenting to them the president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand, Mr A. H. Allen. This was an honour which had come to Dunedin but seldom, and he knew, he was expressing the feelings of every one when he said how delighted they were that Mr Allen had been chosen for this positwn. Mr Allen had over a period of 10 years rendered yeoman service to the chamber as a member of the council, as an exec - tive member, and as president. He nau also served faithfully for a long period on the executive of the Associated Cham bers, a work that involved much sacrifice of time He had accepted a responsible position, and on". that would o.v.rely tax his time and energies. But they knew that he had the qualities which would enable him to fill the position with distinction. They congratulated hm heartily, assured him of their loyal support, and extended to him every good wish for a successful term of office, ■ Mr Allen suitably acknowledged the chairman’s remarks. MR HOGG CONGRATULATED. The chairman said they would all have noticed that Mr James Hogg bad been elected president of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Association. Mr Hogg, although his interests had been closely associated with the Dunedin Manufacturers Association, had, nevertheless, devoted a considerable amount of time and en rgy to the interests of the chamber. He would like to take this opportunity of congratulating Mr Hogg on his appointment and of extending to him their best wishes. EXECUTIVE REPORT. The executive presented the following re, Mr t j. P. P. Clouston, chief postmaster, wrote tendering his resignation as a member of the council owing to .his removal to Auckland, and expressed his appreciation of the cordial relations that had existed between members of the Chamber of Commerce and himself in his official capacity. The executive met Mr Clouston at afternoon tea, and the president, in congratulating him on his promotion, assured him of the good wishes ot the chamber, but expressed sincere regret that he was leaving Dunedin. Rail Connection Victoria Wharf. —it is understood that negotiations between the Harbour Board and the Railways Board are still proceeding, and _ the decision of the Railways Board is being Company Law. —The question of setting up investment bureaux consisting of Government nominees who would be giycn large powers has been discussed by the executive, and the matter is still under consideration. , Congratulations to M'Gregor and Walker.—The congratulations of members of the chamber were cabled to Messrs MacGregor and Walker, New Zealand airmen, on their successful flight in the Melbourne Centenary Air Race Otago Aero Club.—Mr Kirby, secretary, Otago Aero Club, has written expressing the club’s appreciation of the president s remarks at last council meeting, and stating that it was hoped to invite members of the chamber to the Taicn Aerodrome at an early date. . The report was adopted without discussion. ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The chairman reported that the annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce this year was held at Christchurch, and the -chamber was represented bv Mr W. H. Brent (the immediate past pressident) and Messrs A. H. Alien, A. C. Cameron, H. P. West, and myself. An outstanding feature was the presidential address delivered by Mr A. M. Seaman, who also gave an interesting address at the dinner tendered by the Christchurch Chamber to the visiting delegates, They also had an interesting address from Mr W. Dowme Stewart. M.P., on “ The Influence of Commercial Opinion on National Policy in a Changing Bra. Both Mr Seaman and Mr Stewart gave considerable food for thought in connection with the continued growth of Government by Order-in-Couacil. This usurpation of the’functions of Parliament came into considerable prominence in connection with the discussion on the Proposed dairy legislation which had now been placed on the Statute Book. The mattei of unfair Government and local body competition came in for considerable discussion, and a remit was passed drawing attention to particular aspects of the matter which had been before the public recently. Included in these was the practice of the Government and local bodies of freezing public funds in buildings far beyond their own requirements, and then entering into competition with private enterprise by letting the surplus space. With one dissentient voice the conference supported the efforts of the Dunedin Chamber and other bodies to prevent the wanton destruction of good farm lands by mining. When the amendment to the Mining Act was before the House, the chairman of the Goldfields and Mines Committee and others admitted that the existing legislation was well due for an overhaul, but the matter was shelved. It was hoped that continued pressure would ensure that something was done, not to prevent legitimate mining, but to stop the despoliation for all time of good land for no adequate return. After considerable discussion it was decided by a substantial majority that the sliding scale of wheat duties should be retained. The conference felt that the wheat industry was of such vital importance to the community, and directly and indirectly employed such a vast number of workers that it was entitled to sortie measure of protectiqn. It wa ß felt that the sliding scale was the most effective and equitable. This chamber has consistently supported the Canterbury Chamber in this matter. All the remits put forward by this chamber received the endorsement of the conference. The other delegates to the conference also spoke on the business conducted. DUTY ON OAK TIMBER. In reply to a letter from the secretary (Mr H. P. West) regarding recent alterations to the duty on oak timber, a letter was received from the Associated Chambers of Commerce drawing attention to a Gazette notice dealing with the position. This stated that the surtax payable on oak timber should be an amount equal to one-twentieth of the total duty of Customs otherwise chargeable, and in lieu of the surtax of nine-fortieths. This Order-in-Counci] was to come into force on August 22 last. EXPRESS TRAIN SERVICE. The matter of the express train service was brought up by Mr M. Stewart, who moved: —“That the council urge the Railways Department to consider the speeding up of the South Island express services between Invercargill and Lyttelton, and that on Mondays the through train between Invercargill and Lyttelton, or between Dunedin and Lyttelton, be run in addition to the present service. It is considered that the introduction of a dining ear on the express trains would materially assist in solving the position.” “ It will be noted,” he said, that the resolution is on broad lines and adopted by the Transport Committee for submission to the executive. It is recommended that on each Monday an express be run in addition to the early mail train, this exoress to observe the same time-table as the expresses on other week-days. This express would enable the business community to reply that day to urgent mail matter received by the two expresses on Saturday and Sunday, which under present conditions is delayed for 24 hours. It would further mean that overseas correspondence posted on Monday would catch the San Francisco mail that leaves Wellington on Tuesday of every fourth week. In addition, passengers for the ferry

steamer on Monday nights would be able to delay their departure from southern points for some hours. _ “ Under the present time-table the express from Invercargill to Lyttelton leaves. Invercargill at 7 a.m. and arrives at the ferry steamer at Lyttelton at 7.56 p.m. The distance is 376 miles; the duration of the journey 12 hours 56 minutes, and the average speed 29 miles per hour. The time allowed for stops totals two hours. In addition, there are apparently further stops at Hampden and Waianakarua. The highest point on the line is 402 feet at Arthurton. The express from Lyttelton to Invercargill leaves Lyttelton at 7.21 a.m., and arrives at Invercargill at 9.5 p.m. The distance is 376 miles, the duration of the journey is 13 hours 44 minutes, and the average speed 27.34 miles per hour. The scheduled stops total two hours and threequarters. In addition, there are stops at Hampden and Waianakarua. These figures show very clearly that material time savings can be made, thus shortening each journey. For the limited express from Auckland to Wellington the schedule is as follows: —Auckland to_ Wellington, distance 426 miles; duration of journey, 14 hours 41 minutes; aggregate of stops, 59 minutes; highest point above sea-level. 2660 feet. “ The committee asks that the speed of the trains be increased and the duration of the stops decreased so that the time of departure from Invercargill and Dunedin can be delayed with the north express, and the arrival times at Dunedin and Invercargill and other points made earlier with the south express. Any shortening of time would be a great convenience to passengers, and would further popularise train travel, while in the case of Dunedin the business community would have more time to deal with their outward northern mail each day. A further advantage to business houses in Dunedin would be that if the southern journey were shortened by, say, one hour or more, Poet Office boxholders should be in a position to receive their northern first-class mail before the close of business that day instead of the next morning, as at present. The committee further asks that the department give consideration to the reinstatement of the dining car on these expresses, a procedure that should enable thereto ps to ba cut down by more than half. In reply, Mr H. L, Gibson (district traffic manager for the Railways Department) said that the statement had been made that the Main Trunk, expresses in the North Island had to travel over hilly country and climb to very high- levels, but that they averaged about the same speeui as the South Island expresses. It had to be remembered, however, that tne North Istand limiled express was restricted to a load which was practically 50 per cent, less than that hauled by the South Island engines. In addition to this, the elimination of intermediate stops by the limited expresses necessitated the running of other express trains to provide transport facilities for intermediate passengers The North Island expresses ran through sparsely-populated country, consequently it was not necessary for them to make the same number of stops as was necessary in the boutn Island, and it must be that stops at places such as Gore. Balclutha, Milton, Palmerston, Oamaru, Timaru, and Ashburton could not be avoided, as there was a large population to be eeiwed at each of these centres; and, if a limiteo train were provided, these fdaces woiaid demand consideration in the matter of The P 'point has been raised that a reduction of time could be madeifrefreshment rooms were abolished and dining cars attached to,the trams. He pointed out, however, that the actual saving between Invercargill and Christchurch would 3Tb. 26 mlSto “ direction a saving of qply 23 “ The express from Christchurch covers the distance from Christchurch t Oamaru (152 miles) m . 4 hours 21 minutes. Allowing for nine stops (43 minutes), the actual running time is 8 hours 38 minutes, or a speed of 41.83 miles per hour,” said Mr Gibson. Re tween Oamaru and Dunedin the speed is not so good owing to the nature of the country traversed, but after ducting times for stops the average speed works out at 29.5 miles per hour. In the interests of safety, there are speed restrictions from Waitati to Sawyers B y, and also other portions between Oamaru and Dunedin, including a speed rest™? tion of 35 miles per hour Merton to St. Leonards. Between Dunedin and Inver cargill, a distance of 139 miles, the down express takes 4 hours 25 minutes. There are 10 stops, occupying 54 “mutes, so that the actual running time is 3 hours 31 minutes, or an average speed of 39.0 miles per hour. _ ... "The up express runs from Invercargill to Dunedin (139 miles) m 4 homrs 20 minutes. Allowing for nine stops (51 minutes), the actual running time is 39.9 miles per hour. From Dunedin to Oamaru is 78 miles, the time taken being 3 hours 2 minutes. Allowing for three stops of 26 minutes, the average speed ig 30 miles per hour. The same speed restrictions apply as on thedownward jouruev. From Oamaru to Christchurch (152 miles) the time taken is 4 hours -6 minutes. Allowing for seven stops of 44 minutes, the actual running time is 3 hours 42 minutes, or an average of 41.08 miles per hour. The maximum speed allowed in making up schedules of running is 45 miles per hour, except over such portions that have restrictions. It is not possible to provide an average of 45 miles per hour owing to the various track conditions governing the speeds. “Mail matter arriving Dunedin by the down express on Saturday could be cleared from the private boxes at 6 p.m. on Saturday, if necessary and replies sent forward by the night express on Sunday night, which connects with Monday night’s steamer for North Island. It is considered that the quantity or North Island mail matter arriving in Dunedin by the down express on Saturday and the down night express on Monday, and which would be replied to by 10.45 a.m. on Monday morning in time to connect with the up express (if running) would be comparatively small, and would not justify any alteration in the foisting train service. Passenger traffic handled does not warrant the running of the night express on Sunday night and the 8.40 a.m. mail train and the 11.35 a.m. up express on Mondays "To substitute the 11.35 a.m. train on the north line for the 8,40 a.m. up mail on Mondays would inflict _ hardship on passengers to and from stations at which the through express does not slop. Moreover, the up mail makes important branch line connections in the Canterbury district. The Invercargill business people would view with disfavour any suggestion to re-schedule the up express later into Dunedin. Such action would reduce the available time in Dunedin for the transaction of business. It should not be overlooked that the Union Steam Ship Company is averse to any speeding up of the Lyttelton-Wellington steamer express service and would most likely be opposed to the up express arriving at Lytteltotn later than at present. Any later scheduling of the up express would not suit passengers in the South Island and would affect branch line connections.” Mr L. Deans Ritchie said he would vote against the resolution, which was not happily worded. He criticised the attempt to urge the department to speed up the service. They must look to the department’s officers, he said, for expert opinion on such a matter, and he was not going to say that the trains could be speeded up. He was sorry so little information had been given to the chamber when this matter was brought up by the committee. The public looked to the chamber as speaking authoritatively'on any subject it discussed, and if it was not going to do that it would only stultify

itself. The speaker said that for every extra mile per hour there was an increased cost of both fuel and wear and tear, of which no word had been said, but which must be taken into consideration. There would also be the cost of the extra trains required. Personally he was prepared to sit half an hour longer in a train rather than thrust an extra burden on the taxpayers. The curse of the country was the desire to be up with the older countries. In view of the difficulties involved, the chamber should consider the matter much more fU Mr G. S. Kirby said that people with whom he had discussed the matter had stressed the view that the factor of safety came into the question of increased speed. For the urgent carriage of mails there was already an air transport available. In the very near future they would see a national air service established, and he understood that the Post and Telegraph Department would then give consideration to the question of an air mail delivery. He had reason to believe that people travelling on the trains would sooner have thejr meal* at the stations than on the train. After some discussion the committee# motion was put to the meeting and lost.