THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 17, 31 October 1938, Page 6

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Sir, —My attention has been called to your report of the annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce. As you emphasised with headlines a comment on the lack of interest in the work of the Chamber, it would be reasonable to expect that in fairness to a number wno 'metre unable to be present, but who tendered apologies for unavoidable absence, that this fact would have been'noted lit 7 your reporter. I note also in your report that I am credited with the statement that National Income has fallen during the year. I made no direct reference to National Income. I am content to leave such abstruse probleips to the Hon. the Minister of Finance, who differs from his Statistician, Mr Maddex, on the question. I did refer to a serious fall in our export income, to a fall in the public revenue during the last six months, to the obvious falling off in retail trade, and to the steady and continued fall in. sterling funds in London of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. From these facts a fall in the ‘ ‘■National Income” may be naturally assumed, but I did not refer to it. I would like, on behalf of the Chamber, to thank you for tliie courtesy and assistance extended to us at all times. G. A. GILCHRIST.