NEW A.M.P. BUILDING

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 175, 21 April 1937, Page 7

NEW A.M.P. BUILDING

Official Opening at Palmerston North CONFIDENCE IN CITY’S FUTURE Palmerton North. April 20. Erected, according to the principal sneakers, as a mark of the confidence ot the New Zealand and Australian directors of the Australian Mutual Provident Society in the future of Palmerston North, a new four-story building in Lalmers'on North’s business centre, Broadway, was officially opened to-day by Sir Frederick Tout, M.L.C., Sydney, chairman of directors, before a large attendance of representative citizens. An apology for absence was iweived from Sir Samuel Hordern, managing director. Sir Frederick, in his opening speech, said he felt somewhat of a masquerader as be was more than anything a real farmer from almost the centre ot Australia. The society had great confidence in laimerston North. It was the centre of a line district rich in all farming activity. Lhis was of particular interest to him because, when he was not sick on the high seas, he was a farmer. The society was practically a national concern with a great deal of money invested in New Zealand and in Palmerston North itself. Sir William Hunt, proposing the toast of Palmerston North, read a cable from Sir Samuel Hordern which extended the congratulations of the Sydney board and best, wishes for the continued prosperity of the city and the fine district surrounding it. There was no doubt of the future of"the city and the surrounding district, said Sir William. When he first came io the Wellington district 30 years ago he had had experience of only one other district in New Zealand. He asked for a comparison of this district he had known and the Manawatu, and lie was told, “You’ve got to milk or starve in the other district, but you can do what you like in the Manawatu.” He had found this statement correct. If there were another part where stock could be grazed all the year round as in the Manawatu, be bad still to bear of it A great combination of factors made Palmerston North a rail, road, and airport centre. In ancient history it was said that all reals led to Rome. In New Zealand it might well be said that all toads led to Palmerston North. _ The society first started in New Zealand with premises over a grocer s shop at a rent of £3B annually. At the end ot the first year this was found to be too much and the rent was reduced to £2O. The first year’s expenses were £220, which was too big a load to carry, and these expenses were wiped off for the first five years. Then an advertising campaign was decided upon. An almanac was printed at a eost of £lO. This was sold at so much a copy and the cost ot it recouped. From 1861 onward it took the society 12 years to accumulate the first £lOO,OOO of its assets. Now the society added to its assets at that rate every week. The building they opened that day cost £20,000. which was equal, to the funds the society accumlated daily between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. There was no other city in New Zealand with ;i larger buying public, at its door than Palmerston North, said the mayor, Mr. A. E. Mansford, in response. Within 30 miles there were 70.000 persons. Though the cost of the erection of the building was but “a day’s takings” tor the society, it was a big thing for Palmerston North, said Mr. J. Hodgcus, IL.P. In bis opinion the society represented practical Socialism. Its very name suggested that. For the Kairanga County Council Mr. I). Collis, chairman, in tracing the progress of the city, recalled the time when the town of Foxton, ns the main port of the Manawatu. had a greater population than Palmerston North. Mr. H. R. Cooper proposed the toast of the A.M.P. Society. In response Mr. J. D. Duncan, of the New Zealand board, said the success of the society’s operations in Palmerston North and the progress of the city itself were linked. The New Zealand board was impressed with the potentialities of the .Manawatu and its city. Sir Alexander Roberts, proposing the toast of the architects, Messrs. Clerc and Clere, and .the builders, Messrs. W. M. Angus Ltd., of Palmerston North and Napier, stressed the onus that rested on these parties of producing a building to meet the requirements of the directorate. The toast of the health of Mr. Godfrey Haise, local manager, was also given. Other leading officers of the society present were Messrs. D. R. Menzies, W. T. Ikin, New Zealand manager C. J. McDonald, R. A. Martin, 11. B. G. Walker, J. Francis, G. Huston and G. Shaw.