CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Southland Times, Issue 22449, 12 October 1934, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

INVERCARGILL EXECUTIVE. MINING ON FARM LANDS. Mr C. B. Tapley (president) presided over a meeting of the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce yesterday. The following members were present; Messrs H. S. Cordery, A. M. Macdonald, R. M. Strang, W. Grieve, A. le H. Hoyles, J. S. Brass, W. A. Ott, J. Stevenson, J. H. Reed, J. L. Mair, S. C Sutherland, C. S. Stevens, L. W. Spencer and W. G. Clarke. The following letter was received from the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce: “The matter of the destruction of farm lands by mining has been engaging the attention of this chamber for some time, and resolutions have been passed urging the Government to pass legislation which will make it impossible for good arable lands (Crown lands or freeholds) to be dredged or sluiced away unless it is proved by scientific investigation that there is sufficient gold to warrant the land being despoiled for all time, and unless provision is made whenever practicable for the soil to be replaced. There is danger in Otago, and prohably in other parts of the Dominion, of good farming land being permanently destroyed by mining without any compensating return of gold being obtained. In the case of river flats which form part of a sheep station the loss of such flats would deprive a sheepfarmer of the only agricultural land available for winter crops and also for depasturing purposes in winter and for shelter. We consider the matter is one of vital importance to the farming and agricultural interests of the country and would ask for your chamber’s support; and also that you communicate with your local members of Parliament to support the representations being made. In Otago these representations were supported by our own chamber, the Stock and Station Agents’ Association, the Returned Soldiers’ Association, the Otago Farmers’ Union, the New Zealand Sheepowners’ Federation, the Otago A. and P. Society, and Otago Expansion League.” It was decided to support the Dunedin Chamber, members agreeing that there was just cause for complaint. Telephone Toll Charges.

In connection with the telephone toll charges Mr G. McNamara, DirectorGeneral of the Post and Telegraph Department, wrote informing the chamber that commencing on October 1 the period during which toll communications were obtainable at half the ordinary rates would be extended to

from 6 p.m. on week days and from 5 p.m. on Sundays instead of from 8 p.m. as at present. “It is expected that this concession will enable telephone exchange subscribers and users of the toll service in general to obtain the benefits of the half rate at more convenient times during the evening,” said the letter. “The extension of the period during which the half rates are available will also lead to a more even distribution of toll traffic during the evening, and will thus enable calls to be more expeditiously handled.” It was decided to thank the department and express the pleasure of the chamber for arranging the extension of hours.

The chairman reported that the campaign for new members had been responsible for 17 additions to the membership and it was hoped more would be joining soon. The remits for consideration at the annual conference of the Associated Chambers, at Christchurch on November 1 and 2 were discussed, and it was decided to give delegates a free-hand on the various questions to be dealt with.