CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 78, 11 March 1931, Page 6

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MONTHLY MEETING engine-drivers' wages circular from associaTION At the Chamber of Commerce meeting' last evening, the president (Mr. J. B. Richards) reported on the conference held with Messrs. P. Keller, P. Thomson and S. Ward regarding the Moki Saddle. It was pointed out that as the Highways Board is (.lie controlling authority, the proposed work would have to be done undo, their jurisdiction, it was decided to recommend to the Unemployment Board that the work would be done under the Public Works Department. The president said the recommendation had gone forward, but no reply had been received. There were some difficulties, as Ihe work was under the jurisdiction of the Highways Board, but it was hoped to overcome these shortly. There was also a proposal to have a Strathmore tunnel instead of going over the hill. The members present at the meeting were: Messrs. J. B. Richards, J. Orr, W. McDonald, P. 11. Vosseler, W. Hoskin, A. Coleman, M. T. Phillips, A. Orton, J. H. Fletcher. The Arbitration Act Replies' to the Chamber's resolution regarding its wish tor the abolition of the Arbitration Act were received from the Hon. J. G. Coates

and the Prime Minister (Hon. G. W. Forbes), acknowledging receipt. Mangapurua Valley Road Mr. P. Bettyman, chairman of the roading committee, Mangapurua Landing, Wanganui River, wrote bringing under the notice of the Chamber a proposal for the connecting of the Main Trunk and the Taranaki roading system. "We are of the opinion," he stated, "that the best route, and one which certainly can be most speedily and cheaply completed, is connecting up the Mangapurua Valley Road where it touches the left bank of the Wanganui River at the Mangapurua Landing, with the road from Whangamoinona, which comes down to Spooner's Bridge on the Whangamomoiia River. The Landing is about 15 miles from Raetihi through the Ruatiti Valley, and about. 20 miles of this are already made to the highway standard and metalled. The gap to be completed on the proposed route is six miles on our side of the Wanganui River, connecting up with the present road at Spooner's Bridge." The support or the Chamber was asked for in a request lo Hie Minister of Public Works to have an engineering survey made and an estimate of the cost prepared. The president said the letter opened up a, wide question, but it would be desirable to have a highway running east and west. They should get more information and learn the geography of the country before deciding on the better route, as there wns an alternative route. It was decided to reply stating that (hi! proposal would receive support, but more information was neded before passing any resolution. A report will be presented to the next meeting. Locomotive and Engine Drivers

A Circular was read from the New Zealand Locomotive and Bnginedrivers' Association asking for support in their protest to lire Government against the reduction of wages. The President: They say because they are driving heavier engines and Hauling heavier loads. Tliey do not