CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Evening Star, Issue 16662, 19 February 1918, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

I The monthly nuxeting of the council of the Chamber of Commerce was held last evening, Mr Walter Gow (president) occupying the chair. _Mr S. J. Evans, lion, secretary of the Westland Chamber of Commerce, wrote that steps were being taken with a view to a Dominion conference being convened to formulate a policy scheme to organise the resources of the country to meet the new conditions now arising. Correspondence was received from the Otago Expansion League, together with a report of the meeting held on January 29 regarding the development and distribution of hydro-electric energy.—The Chairman said the Bill proposed by the Southland League did not seem to "him to be altogether satisfactory. There were one or two points that might lead to difference of opinion, particularly the proposal with regard to what was called the hydro-electric districts. There was a possibility of considerable dispute oven among the Southland people themselves as to what should constitute a district, and as to who would have the right to control certain powers. However, no doubt they would be approached later on the subject, and then they could give what help they thought desirable. The Chairman said that the matter of fire protection on the wharves had been the subject of a conference. It- was left to the chamber to propound a. scheme allotting responsibility to tho different bodies, which would then consider the scheme, and perhaps come to an agreement.—The matter was referred to the executive to formulate a schemi**' The Secretary of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce wrote that that chamber had adopted the following resolution:—"Tliis chamber heartily endorse and support tho policy indicated bv the Pnmo Minister in regard to the disposal of the German colonies in the Pacific."—A resolution was carried heartily endorsing the policy of the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward on this question. CITY COUNCIL INSURANCE. Mr A. H. Fisher, manager of tho Standard Insurance Company, wrote under date February 7:—" I wish to bring before your notice the urgent necessity of takinc concerted action to thwart the City Council in their proposal to cany their own insurance. _ The insurance companies have done all in their power to deter the council from adopting this unsound policy, and the Press also have warned them of the folly of the scheme. These protests, however, have proved of no avail, and I would suggest that your chamber take the matter up m the interests of the citizens and ratepayers. It must bo obvious to all business men that the councillors are proposing to take upon themselves grave and unwarranted responsibilities. At any time a- fire may occur involving the corporation in a loss of £20,000, and without established reserve funds to meet such contingencies the claims would fall on the ratepayers The position is serious, and I trust the chamber may use their influence to secure the maintenance of sound policy in the conduct of the City's finances."Messrs C. Todd and G. Fenwick thought that it was a matter which the Public Questions Committee should take up.—The Chairman said, personally,"he- thought the. policy of the City Council was rirht assuming they had made proper provision for what _ they proposed to do. The difficulty was that they had no provision, and it would take years and years to make sufficient provision to warrant them in und--taking their own insurance.—lt -was eventually decided to receive the letter