CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 55, Issue 3938, 11 August 1937, Page 6

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MONTHLY MEETING. GENERAL BUSINESS DEALT WITH. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce was held on Tuesday evening, the president (Mr W. Jeffery) occupying the chair. There was an attendance of twenty, including several new members and prospective members. The following new members were elected: Messrs M. H. Williams, R. E. Stewart, W. Tootill, W. A. C. Morriss, E. H. Cucksey, Newton King Ltd., and Waipa Master Carriers’ Association. Reporting on the inquiries made regarding a site for re-erecting the town clock, Mr Jeffery said a meeting of the special ioint sub-committee was to meet on Thursday evening, after which he hoped to be able to report progress. Referring to the proposed co-opera-tion with the Farmers’ Union in promoting a smoke social to be held at an early date, Mr Jeffery briefly outlined the project, an.l said it was hoped there would be a full and representative attendance of business men, farmers and members of local bodies. RAILWAY CHARGES. The general manager, N.Z. Railways, wrote re railway charges, advising that it is the intention that the position in regard to fares and services will be reviewed in terms of the Government’s policy as affecting the transport position generally. Th 1 proposals in regard to the possibli acquisition of certain goods transport services by his Department have, however, not developed to the stage where a definite conclusion can lie reached as to the nature and extent of the adjustments which may be called for to meet the changed condi-tions.-—Received. Notification was received that the annual conference of the Associated Chamber of Commerce will this year be held at Tinraru on November 3rd, 4th and sth, and remits for consideration there were asked for.—Referred to the- Council for attention, with a suggestion .that a remit be prepared dealing with the Government being asked to announce its revised nil freight charges before it puts road competitors out of business by legislative authority. “The Department asks us to accept a blank cheque!” declared on? member.

Then ensued a discussion in whicn the variable charges of the Department were criticised. The fear was also expressed that elimination >f ccmpetition would be followed by i >- creased railway charges.

Specific instances were quoted, and then a motion strongly urging that the present road transport services be not disturbed until an assurance is given that freight rates will no.’ be increased, and the same convenient service maintained, was carried unanimously. Information was given about the case of one road operator being virtually forced to accept the Tribunal’s valuation for fear ’of his license being refused renewal. One member considered that road transport was essential to Te Awamutu an! neighbourhood, and referred to happenings during the railwaymen’s strike some years ago.

The actual resolution was: “We strongly pretest against the removal of the existing road transport service between Auckland and Te Awamutu.” This was carried unanimously. THE KOPUA BLOCK. It was decided to write to the Native Lands Department inquiring what progress had been made of laic in connection with improving and settling the considerable area of native land in the Kopua Block, lying between Pokuru, Te Kawa West and Te Kcpua, on both sides of the Waipa River. Mr A. T. Bryant, on behalf of the Farmers’ Union, asked for support of representations to the Lands Department and the Justice Department -asking that a further portion of the Waikeria Borstal Estate be made available for closer settlement. Several members spoke in support, and it was decided to give the support desired, the opinion being held that the Borstal authorities seem unable to utilise the whole area to advantage and the portion nearest the Great South Road is very suitable for closer settlement. BETTER MAIL SERVICES. The president said he had been asked if it was possible to get a Sunday night dispatch of mails. It had been pointed out to him that letters posted at Te Awamutu after 9.30 on Saturday evening did not reach Auckland until late on Monday afternoon and not delivered in the suburbs ti.l Tuesday morning. This prompted quite a discussion m which comparisons were made with other towns, and ultimately the pre sident was asked to confer with the local postmaster with a view to getting improvement along the lines suggested. It was mentioned that while the post office is being remodelled there is considerable delay and inconvenience in getting mails sorted into the private boxes, but the remodelling was not solely the cause. Trains running behind schedule were also a factor.