CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 43, 19 February 1918, Page 11

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

THE CENTRAL BODY.

A meeting of the council of the Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon, Mr. A. Leigh Hunt presiding. The financial statement showed assets amounting to £234 4s, and the accounts for payment totalled £23 8s 7d. New% members were elected as follow: Wellington, 21; Petone, 18;' and Lower Hutt, -5.

' Ai.urth.er letter was received from the chairman of the Efficiency Board in regard to' the position concerning the closing of flaxmills. It was decided to hand the correspondence to Mr. C. M. Luke, as the Chamber's representative on the Associated Chambers of Commerce Conference.

The Chairman reported on the successful, efforts'taken to .establish branches of the Chamber at Petono and Lower Hutt.

The British Engineers' Association, Incorporated, forwarded an official directory of its members, and. .offered to render any assistance to members in tho matter of engineering supplies. It was decided to incorporate the matter in the next quarterly circular.

A letter from the Nc-w Zealand Natives' Association asked for the assistance, of the Chamber in its coining effort to raise funds for the establishment of aMemorial Hall. It was decided to lea-ve the matter-,in the hands of the executive fo dear with.

The South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce wrote asking for support for a resolution endorsing and supporting the .policy indicated, by the Prime Minister in regard to jfche disposal pf the German colonies in the Pacific. A. short discussion followed on the reading of the letter. ' One speaker held that the question was one for'she international diplomats at the conclusion of the war, and that a- very strong expression of opinion from the colonies might be very embarrassing in any negotiations for peace. Another member took the view that it would be'--unwise not to have such expression of opinion; it would be disastrous to have the matter "go by default" through lack of an expression of the colonies' wishes on the matter.

Tlie matter of tho alteration of the articles, to provide separate representation for Petone "and Lower Hutt on the council, was left in the hands of the executive.