CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23351, 17 November 1937, Page 17

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEETING OF COUNCIL < A meeting of the council of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce was held last night, the president (Mr J. S. Skinner) occupying the chair. There were also present Messrs C. L. Calvert, H. Brash, W. D. G. Hartley, W. Keith Cameron, A. B. Natusch. G. W. Love, T. S. Coull, H. G. Chapman, J. Elvidge, H. H. Dobie, E. J.. Tavlor, M. S. Myers, W. J. Mclnnes, W. A. Mackay, N. R. Wilson, N. R. Mclsaac, E. Clarke, H. L. Gibson, F. V. Drake and E. H. Calder. MANIOTOTO IRRIGATION SCHEME A letter was received from the Minister of Public Works (Mr R. Semple) advising that the construction of the Maniototo irrigation scheme could not be authorised until some system of closer settlement was devised. That matter was now receiving consideration by the Government, but it might take some time. The chamber could rest assured, however, that the matter would not be lost sight of. In connection with the same subject the Otago Expansion League wrote stating that the executive had unanimously decided to support the chamber's recommendation to the Prime Minister for an early start with the scheme, which formed the greatest part of the original Central Otago irrigation proposal made many years ago. The letters were received. SHIPPING AND A' SERVICE The secretary of the Wellington Chamber wrote in connection with shipping and air line services, stating that for some time his chamber had interested itself in the matter of seeing that the Dominion generally and the central districts in particular were better served by overseas shipping and air services than at present. In pursuit of its policy endeavours were being made to ensure that Wellington would be included in the itinerary of the new C. and A. 22,000-ton liners and > also that the capital would be. the New Zealand terminus of the proposed ' * trans-Tasman air service. The chamber was satisfied that Wellington could be regarded as a very suitable and . safe base for either land or sea planes ' ■ on the trans-Tasman service, and that ', Wellington harbour possessed all the ' facilities for the safe and convenient accommodation of large overseas .vessels. The chamber was pressing its claims on behalf of Wellington on national grounds, because it was considered that the Dominion as a whole could be served with the greatest advantage and most economically from a central distribution point. The council reaffirmed its opinion that the matters were ones for experts, and decided to reply that it had nothing further to add to a previous communication to that effect. MAIL CONNECTIONS In connection with the suggestion that mail boats should depart from Auckland later in the afternoon than under the present schedule to allow southern mail posted that day to connect, the secretary of the Invercargill Chamber wrote enclosing a copy of a report submitted by the chief postmaster, Invercargill. The report stated that the crux of the matter was that after the business men in Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill received. their Vancouver mail every fourthMonday, the quickest postal despatch to Auckland was via the Union, Airways service,' leaving Dunedin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, and arriving at Auckland at 3 p.m., too late to connect with • the outgoing Vancouver steamer, which left at 3 p.m. It was probable that, the number of replies to urgent correspondence would not be sufficient to warrant the delaying of the liner for two hours, and neither would the heavy expense for the carriage of mails south by air from Wellington be justi- . fled. The best suggestion would be for inward Vancouver mail to be paid . for and endorsed " air mail. New Zealand " by the overseas senders. The letter was received. GENERAL One new member was elected. Messrs H. L. Gibson and H. H. Do'bie were elected to fill two vacancies on the council.