RANGITIKEI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 419, 10 November 1930, Page 3

RANGITIKEI

MARTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. The Marton Chamber of Commerce met on Friday night, the chairman (Mr J. A. Bush) presiding. There were also present Messrs G. B. Gregory, J. D. Gorrie, A. J. Gould, J. Mogidge sen., J. Shine, H. C. Date, H. Y. Cameron, F. C. A. Wood, H. H. Richardson. F. R. H. Brice, T. Low, S. D. Abel and the secretary (K. A. Williams). The Borough Council wrote expressing appreciation of the Chamber ’s donation of £4 14s 3d towards equipment for the children’s playground, A letter from the P. and T. Department, calling attention to charity stamps on issue for the raising of funds to combat tuberculosis, was received. The following remit was received from tli(> Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce: "That the Government be strongly urged to give effect to the Commission’s recommendation regarding the transference of control of the Railway Department to an independent board of directors.” —The Chamber decided to endorse the remit in the form of n motion. A lotto »• was received from the Minis ter of Labour, informing the Chamber that its representations protesting

against the introduction of the Workers’ Compensation Amendment Bill had been noted and would receive considera tion. —The Bill "died” with the session. A letter from the District Railways Traffic Manager with reference to the lighting of railway cars was received. The Te Awamutu Chamber wrote appealing for public recognition of the desirability of giving preference to the railways for travelling or transport of goods.—Letter received. A reply from the Trade Commissioner with reference to an Empire Shopping Week in Marton, proposed by the local Chamber, was held over pending a report from the Retailers’ Association. Mr J. T. Hogan, M.P., wrote stating that the matter of a carriage on the 4.5 p.m. train to Wanganui was receiving consideration. The Papakura Chamber of Commerce wrote forwarding a resolution to the effect that the Main Highways Board constitution should be revised to give better representation to motorists. — The resolution provoked considerable discussion, but there was no motion. Use of Broadcasting. One strong reason why the Government of the day should not have con-

trol of radio broadcasting was advanced in a letter from the Associated Chambers. "If the P. and T. Department is empowered to take over radio broadcasting, this Department may ultimately itself deal in radio sets, ana it is not by any means unreasonable to anticipate a time when radio receiving sets may be a monopoly of the Department and be leased to subscribers as telephones are now leased. The effect of such a policy on private trading and public freedom of choice would be disastrous. Any Government which had complete control of broadcasting could disseminate any special point of view which it might consider politically advantageous, and would sway public opinion by direct’ contact with voters in their homes. Conversely, censorship of news and points 'of view inimical to the interests of any particular party in power could be made effective in the form of alterations and modifications difficult to detect, and the public could be deprived, so far as broadcasting is concerned, of the opportunity to form unbiassed opinions.” The meeting passed the following resolution: "That while wireless broadcasting in New Zealand should bo improved in quality and extended in scope, such improvements and exton-

sions should be carried out by private enterprise and afforded every assistance by the Government.” Main Highways Board. The Papakura Chamber wrote advocating an alteration in the constitution. The motor owners’ representation on the Main Highways Board was, at present, one member, with three Government members and two county members. The Chamber submitted that as motorists found the greater part of the funds made available to the Board, their representatives should be increased to three at the expense of the Government representatives, more particularly in view of the fact that, according to latest advices, the Government would no be finding out of its general funds any part of the moneys to bo used by the Board. Mr H. H. Richardson (County Clerk) stated that they had found the Main Highways Board, as at present constituted, quite satisfactory, and he didn’t think the change suggested would bo a step in the right direction. —The letter was received, no action being taken. (Continued on Page 9'.