CAAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 6495, 23 September 1915, Page 4

CAAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Monthly Meeting.

The monthly meeting of the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce was held in the Borough Council Chambers en Monday evening. Present, Mr B. C. Robbins. President, and Messrs J. C. Adams, Hough, J. Murdoch, J. Torrance, W. H. Gilford, A. E. Innes, W. Thomson, and the Secretary, Mr K. S. Ready. Mr K. H. Phelan, General Manager of the Tauranga Rimu Company, was elected a member of the Chamber. A letter was received from the Association of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce regarding the establishment of Commercial Defence funds by i Chambers of Commerce for various j purposes, and asking that the Chamber ! consider the advisability of establishing such a fund. The matter was referred to a Special Committee consisting of Messrs Sharp, Hough and Robbins for consideration and report. The Prime Minister acknowledged receipt of the Chamber's suggestion that an export tax of one per cent be imposed, instead ol the proposed tax on kerosene and petrol, and stating that the suggestion would receive careful consideration. The Secretary of the Harbour Board wrote acknowledging the Chamber's letter intimating that it would support the Board in future harbour improvement schemes and movements. The Hon. W. H. Herries and the Minister of Public Works wrote stating thatjjthe matter of expediting railway construction work between Tau ranga and the Wairoa river would have their best attention. It was decided t> again write to Mr Herries and the Minister of Public Works stating that the Chamber noted £ with pleasure that work had been commenced at Tauranga; and hoping that the work would be pushed on more vigorously | A tetter from the Taumarunui Patriotic Association asking th? Chamber to.support them in urging the Government not.to enforce the Gaming and Lotteries Act in connection with art unions for patriotic purposes, was received. £ Communications were received from the Association of New Zealand Chambers'of Commerce covering resolutions regarding British Trade Protection, passed at the recent conference ot Chambers of Commerce iv Wellington, and suggesting that public meetings should be held in the various centres to pass uniform resolutions on the subject. The letters were received. A communication yvas received from the Hon. Mr Herdmati, as Minister in charge of the newly created Discharged Soldiers' Information Department, outlining the object 3of the Department, and asking the Council to, give preferenc2 for employment where possible to returned soldiers.

Mr Torrance moved and Mr Murdoch seconded: —That the Harbour Board be respectfully asked to favourably consider the advisability of taking steps to increase the boundaries ot the Tauranga harbour district, and that this Chamber pledges itself to assist the Roard in this direction to the best of its ability.

The motion was discussed at some length and finally carried, Messrs Thomson and Gifford dissenting.

The President moved — That the Farmers' Union be approached, and if considered desirable a public meeting be held on Friday afternoon next in the Coronation Hall to consider matters in connection with the proposed freezing works with the object of laying further information before the experts. Seconded by Mr Thomson and carried.