CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Southland Times, Issue 20495, 25 May 1928, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MONTHLY MEETING, The monthly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce held yesterday afternoon was attended by Messrs J. H. Reed (president), A. le H. Hoyles, D. Rutledge, W. T. Johnston, J. Stevenson, W. Grieve, L. Spencer, G. Glen, J. Pickard, C. B. Tapley, R. M. Strang and C. Bradfield. In connection with the question of main port rates and shipping service from Bluff, the shipping committee recommended to the chamber:—“That the matter of securing main port rates of freight from Pacific ports to Bluff be undertaken immediately. The committee believes that sufficient cargo is offering to warrant this. From the Atlantic coast and on certain boats from Calcutta and Singapore cargo is carried at main port rates. The companies trading are the Union Steamship Company and Swayne, Holt and Company to whom representations should be made. “The committee would also like to bring under the notice of the chamber, the activities of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce in connection with the Melbourne-Bluff-Dunedin service and suggests that this chamber get into communication with the Dunedin Chamber with a view to supporting them in any action which they may decide upon. “The committee recommends the chambei to purchase a map of the world showing the trade routes.” Mr Bradfield said they hoped to get the passenger service improved, but they realized that there was not much hope of making a passenger service alone pay. If they could get a good cargo service, all the valuable trade of Southland with Australia could be shipped direct to Melbourne. A Parliamentary committee set up to investigate the matter had sent a recommendation that they should secure the co-operation of the Australian Government. It was stated by a .member that the Borough Council was negotiating with J. C. Williamson’s for the purchase of the theatre. If the sale was effected, it would mean a great help to the shipping companies. Large theatrical companies would swell enormously the passenger trade. It was decided to make representations to the shipping firms concerned. In connection with the curtailed railway timetable, it had been decided at last meet ing to send a deputation to place the matter before the Prime Minister. Since then, they had received a telegram from the Prime Minister stating that he would be unable to inform them when a deputation could come up. It would not be possible before his return to Wellington. The chairman said the chamber should wire Mr Adam Hamilton M.P. to arrange with the Prime Minister for seeing the delegation. On Wednesday, the 30th inst., there would be a Royal Show Society meeting held in Wellington and two Invercargill delegates would be present. They could be added to the deputation. It was decided that Messrs Cuthbertson, Hoyles, Mackrell and Grieve be the chamber’s delegates to the deputation; that the delegates to the Royal Society be added and that the Gore Chamber of Commerce be written to, inviting it to add a delegate to the deputation. The meeting then went into committee after correspondence had been dealt with.