THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20028, 9 September 1930, Page 12

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNUAL MEETING. SATISFACTORY POSITION DISCLOSED. The business community of Christchurch was adequately represented at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce last night. Others present included the Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer), the Minister for Education (Hon. 11. Atmore), and tht- British Trade Commissioner for New Zealand (Mr L. A. Paish). The only woman member of the Chamber (Mrs Snence Clark) was also present. In welcoming the visitors, the chairman said that it was pleasing that tho oldest member of the Chamber, Mr John Anderson, was present. He expressed pleasure at the fact that there had been an increase in membership during the past vear and assured those present that the Chamber worked always impartially for the interests qt tewn and country. One of the principal features of the Chambers work was its Economic Bulletins, which attracted attention oven from as far afield as Bolivia. Mr Francis moved the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, a summary of which has been published. In seconding the motion, Mr A. u. Wilkinson expressed appreciation at the satisfactory state of the finances of the Chamber. The income for the vear just ended, he said, amounted to £2085. and how the Chamber had flourished was to be seen in the fact that in 1900 the income amounted to £354. Thirty years ago the membership of the Chamber was 151, to-day it 6tood at almost 500. The report aud balance-sheet were adopted. . It was decided to write to Lady Alice'Fergusson asking if she desired to retain the office of patroness. Election of Officers. Mr H. S. E. Turner was elected unopposed as president and Mr A. O. •Wilkinson was similarly elected as ricepresident. Mr Wilkinson, who will act as president during the absence of Mr Turner, who is at present in Britain, returned thanks on behalf of Mr Turner and himself. Other officers elected were:—Auditor, Mr J. W. K. Lawrence; Council, Messrs J. Anderson, jun., W.Bottrell. A. C. Brethertoh, A. M. Burns, W. B. Carey, H Chapman, H. M. Chrystall, Norton Francis, T. N. Gibbs, J. N. Greenland, V. E. Hamilton, P. H. Harris, A. E. Kincaid, J. MaeGibbon, A. L. Maefarlane, E. W. Reed, L. G. K. Steven, B. E. H. WMteombe, E. H. Webb, and A. F. "Wright. The following motion was moved by Mr A. M. Burns and seconded by Mr P. H. Harris :t—- ---• "The Canterbury Chamber ot Commerce places on record its keen appreciation of the work of tho retiring president, Mr Norton Francis, during the past two years, stressing particularly his control of the Council proceedings. The meeting recognises, further, that largely owing to Mr Norton Francis's faculty for keeping in close touch with all movements affecting the welfare of the business community, and hia great personality and the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce occupies a very proud position among the public bodies of Canterbury, and of the whole of New Zealand, and has established a Dominion-wide reputation for its services in the interests of commerce and trade." In submitting the motion, Mr Burns said that he did,so with particular reference to the feelings of the members of the Council who. had been brought into close touch with Mr Norton Francis during the past two years. They felt that their labours on behalf of the Chamber had been well worth while under the able guidance of Mr Francis. As members were aware, the agenda paper for the monthly meetings was frequently quite a formidable one, but Mr Francis possessed a wonderful knack of chairmanship and control, and, thanks to these qualities, the business of the meetings was ; facilitated, while the cordiality shown from the chair, created an atmosphere at the various meet- ' ings. which ensured a team spirit—a spirit which, unfortunately, was not always to be found in public bodies. The general body of members ot the Chamber ot Commerce must not lose sight of the fact that apart from the Council meetings, Mr Norton Francis" rendered wonderful service, to the business community of Christchurch in connexion with the work of the various' sectional committees, and with the general routine of the office: Wherever possible the president attended the meetings of the sectional and this, in itself, involved at times very heavy work and attention.' His euidance and advice at these meetings were always of great help to the members concerned in,the business.' Taking the wider viewpoint, the speaker was sure that the members of the Chamber would agree that Mr' Norton Francis's occupancy of' the presidency of the Canterbury Chamber placed that body in the forefront of similar institutions in New Zealand. In all circles, parliamentary, commercial, and social, the name of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce had commanded the greatest respect and attention, and this was largely due to the exceptional qualities broueht to bear on the position by Mr Norton Francis. The motion was carried amidst applause.

RUBBEK PRODUCTION.

NO SCHEME OF RESTRICTION.

(ixrasa oniau wiaxuess.) RUGBY, September 7. The Governor-General of the Straits Settlements, Sir Cecil Clementi, after consultation with the Governor-General of" the Dutch East Indies, has announced that neither Government is prepared to support officially any scheme of rubber restriction. Over-produc-tion in proportion to the world's requirements lias caused a crisis in tho industry, the price for the commodity, falling subatantiallv below the cost of production. In view of the Dutch opposition the Straits Settlement Government has decided that unilateral action would be worse than useless, and has therefore reached the conclusion that "economic laws be allowed to take their course, in the hope that by this means the stabilisation of prices will be realised The industry would then rest upon a normal period in which supply and demand approximately balance each other." In London yesterday rubber reached a new low record of 4 3-16 d a pound. NOKOMAI SLUICING COMPANY.

The #etiii*-Merstmry •' tho Nokomal Bluiclar Compstoy report! » further wwh-pp of 120o» JSdwt J2«T from th« No. 8 peddock. TbU nuke* a toUl of 43T«* 12dwt 18gr from tbf jeddock,