GREAT ORGANISATION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 305, 14 May 1941, Page 5

GREAT ORGANISATION

HISTORY OF THE CHAMBER OF * COMMERCE ADDRESS TO LOCAL BUSINESSMEN

On Saturday last a number i,f local businessmen were treated lo an address delivered by Mr A. G. Lunn a past president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce' and the Associated Chambers of Commerce Mr Lunn dealt with many of the activities of this organisation el businessmen and others and during the- evening traced the history of the Chamber of Commerce through many years. Oldest Chamber. | The oldest Chamber was that of Marseilles, which dated from the I end of the 14th Century. It was several times suppressed and re-estab-lished, and it was not till 1(550 that it received its ultimate' organisation. The Chamber of Dunkirk was established in 1700. There followed the formation of Chambers in Paris, and (within a few years) in every large town in France. French Chambers were incorporated into the administrative! system of the country and were given an official status and functions such <, as th> control of public commercial institutions, including inland waterways and port and harbour works. The relatively high position; of French Chambers of Commerce in the administrative sphere is further illustrated by the fact that during the War of 1914-18 they, in common with municipalities, were even allowed to issue paper money and tokens for small change—this practice was so extensive that by 1919 their notes formed the chief currency for small change in Franc?. These powers were terminated by the Stabilisation Law of 1928. British Organisation. In the British Isles, on the other hand, Chambers of Commerce were and still remain, voluntary' associations of a somewhat loosei texture, exercising very little, if any,, compulsion upon their members and endowed with few definite functions in relation to the comparatively light administrative, framework within which trade has to be conducted. Curiously enough, the earliest Chamber of Commercet to Vie established in British territory was that founded at New York in 1768. The oldest Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain, is believed to be that of Glasgow, established in 1783 under Royal charter. Edinburgh followed in 1785. It was of special interest to note that the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce' was; tjie first public body which petitioned for the abolition of the, Corn Laws and the adoption of free trade principles. It stood almost alone in Great Britain in advocating thcSuez Canal project. It also originated the movement which resulted in placing the, telegraph service with the Post Office. Huge Membership. The Manchester Chamber, so famous for its exertions; in the cause of free trade, was not established until 1820; and for some time it continued to be the only institution of the kind in England. The London Chamber was not instituted until as late as 1882. This great organisation has a direct membership of over 8,000, apart from 52 affiliated Associations (covering, thus an indirect membership of 50,000) and typifying how Chambers of Commerce have become highly organised bodies, the London Chamber is divided into 69 sections according to overseas countries dealt with commodities or trades, and other special, aspects. Federation Formed. During the second half of the. 19th century,, the commercial communities of all the chief cities of the Empire formed Chambers which -ire very similar in character to those of Great 1 Britain, I\i most of the Dominions there were general Associations of these Chambers corresponding to the Association of BrUish Chambers of Commerce in Great Britain. Still further concentration of the coinmeicial opinion of the Empire was early recognised as desirable, and a series of congresse.s of the Chambers of Commerce in all parts' of the British Dominions began in 1886 with that convened ! by the London Chamber. In 1911 n permanent body was established (Continued in next column).

called the British Imperial Council 1 of Commerce, later to be known us the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire of which Mr Lunn is at present vicepresident, The membership of the Federation is fully representative of every part of the Empire. By means of congresses held at three-yearly intervals in different parts of the Empire, matters affecting inter-im-perial Commerce are examined ancELeommon policies postulated.—mainly for the guidance of the Governments of the Empire—on such subjects as- taxation, communications, Empire development and trade policy, research and education. , Considered in the light of Chamber of Commerce activities of the present, it is obvious that the early concept has not only been retained, but appreciably broadened. The greater stress on community service and efficiency aspects has led to ai more comprehensive departmental!*?jng of Chamber activities, as shown-, by the further development of tradogroups and sections within the Chamber of Commerce also by the recognition of the important place of younger men In the present day movements