HAAST PASS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27523, 18 October 1950, Page 2

HAAST PASS

Government’s Intentions NO DETAILS AVAILABLE No details have yet been received by the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce of the intentions of the Government in respect to the completion of the Haast Pass road, which the chamber contends would benefit both the Dominion and Otago. The council has written to the Minister of Works, Mr Goosman. on the subject, but has not yet received a reply. The executive reported at the meeting of the council yesterday that the Taxation Vigilance Committee of the Associated Chambers is considering a suggestion from Dunedin that recommendations be made to the Government to have the expenditure incurred by the compulsory installation of fire escapes on instructions from local bodies written off over a period of about 10 years by a special depreciation allowance. The Cromwell branch of Federated Farmers has advised the chamber that to safeguard good farm land which is at present subject to mining rights, an amendment to the mining legislation is necessary. The legal position is being investigated by the chamber before further representations are made. The Associated Chambers have advised the constituent chambers that evidence will be tendered to the commission on the waterfront industry on a national basis, but the question of submitting evidence on matters affecting their own ports will be left to local chambers. The Transport Committee will consider what action is to be taken in Dunedin.

The booklet which the Otago Expansion League is to publish with financial assistance from other bodies, including the chamber, is to be ready within a month or so. The chamber's delegates to the executive of the Associated Chambers ascertained at a meeting in Wellington that there is no legal obligation on Government departments to reveal to unsuccessful tenderers the name of the successful firm and the price accepted. A Special Committee of the Associated Chambers has been set up to bring down a report to the next meeting in Wellington in November. The executive reported that plans for the alternative development of Rongotai were under discussion, and in view of the great inconvenience to the travelling public through the continued use of Paraparaumu, it was hoped that the development of Rongotai aerodrome as a central point on the internal air routes of the Dominion should be speedily proceeded with. Advice is awaited by the chamber regarding the list of sailings from the United Kingdom to New Zealand during the first half of 1951. If necessary, representations will be made for a greater number of such vssels to make a South Island port their first one of discharge in the Dominion. In respect to shlgs from the west coast of the United Kingdom, the chamber has been advised that the greater draught and/or size of these vessels precludes their making a South Island port their first call in New ZeaTransport Committee of the chamber is to consider ways to combat the pilfering of cargo in the near future in view of the large losses still being suffered. . , . , The executive’s report was adopted.