EFFECT OF WAR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 18, 1 November 1940, Page 3

EFFECT OF WAR

CURTAILMENT OF ACTIVITIES.

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS. As a result of the war the activities of the Ashburton Chamber of Commerce had been considerably less than in previous years, said Mr A. A. McDonald, at the annual meeting of the Chamber last evening. In the absence of the president (Mr G. A. Gilchrist) Mr McDonald presided. It was decided to send a letter to Mr W. R. Hammond expressing the hope that he would make a rapid recovery from his illness. The financial statement showed a credit of £27 8s at the beginning of the year, and £34 13s lOd at the close. The position was stated to be satisfactory. Mr McDonald paid a tribute to the work of the president (Mr Gilchrist), who had occupied the position for three years, a record for the local Chamber. When some important matter had arisen Mr Gilchrist had always been quick to give the business people an opportunity of viewing their opinions on it. The Chamber was a channel whereby business men could get satisfactory answers about any anomalies which might arise. The election of officers resulted: — President, Mr G. A, Gilchrist; vicepresident, Mr J. Shaw; council, Messrs A. A. McDonald, E. C. Bathurst, H. Hefford, H. Porter, and W. S. Kerr; auditor, Mr W. H. Amos; secretary, Mr G. V. Furby. All except one of the reniits to go before the annual Dominion conference of the organisation at New Plymouth next Wednesday and Thursday were approved after consideration. In the ease of the exception the attitude of ’the Chamber was left to the Canterbury Chamber. It was decided not to send a delegate to the conference but to ask Canterbury to act instead. An invitation to attend field days at Lincoln College on November 4 and 5 was received.

Shops and Offices Act. Arising from a public meeting of protest regarding proposed amendments to the Shops and Offices Act, from which telegrams were sent to the Prime Minister, Messrs S. G. Holland and T. D. Burnett, M.P.’s, the secretary read replies to these communications. The Prime Minister stated that he noted the protest. Mr McDonald! said that had the Amendment Bill been rushed through it might have meant considerable' embarrassment 'and loss of trade to Ashburton business men. The question also cut both ways as not only would the shop-keepers lose trade, but if on the late night or Saturday morning shops wpre closed people enjoying a 40-hour week would lose this opportunity to shop, of which many of them took advantage. Representations had been made on tire subject from , all parts of New Zealand so that the legislation may not be so drastic as it might have been. Reduction Of Fire Insurance. Mr McDonald said! that the Fire Underwriters’ Association: had allowed a reduction in insurance premiums. He understood that there would be a considerable reduction in both business and residential areas and the public ought to 7>e satisfied. The Chamber had been behind the movement for the reductions. He estimated that it would save the Borough from £IOOO to £2OOO a year.