CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 November 1939, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEETING AT GREYMOUTH. A meeting of the Greymouth Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon, the President, Mr. P. .1. McLean presiding over an attendance of the following members: 'Messrs J. AV. Callwell, G. R. Harker, J. AV. Greenslade, S. J. Davis, J. S. Robertson, E. McDonnell, and T. E. Coates. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs F. A. Kitchingham, G. M. Truman, AV. E. Norton. On the motion of the Chairman and Mr. Harker, it was decided to urge the Government to expedite the provision of the improved rail-car service promised for the AVest Coast in July last year, and to thank the Railways Department for the installation of the wig-wag signals at Herbert Street.

The Chairman said that with the petrol restrictions, and the increased price of petrol, an improved rail-car service would be not only a convenience, but also a payable proposition. It was decided to ask the Minister of Agriculture to accelerate the report of the Commission which recently investigated the lime industry. On the motion of Mr. Ale Donnell, it was decided to ask the Main Highways Board to cut tracks down to the various lakes in South AVestland. for the benefit of tourists, and other visitors, and to provide increased parking facilities at such spots. .Mr. McDonnell said he had noticed a reference in the newspapers to the extraction of oil from coal, the process being stated to cost about one shilling a gallon, but there was also: a warning that the plant should not be established in earthquake areas, on account of the great danger of explosions. He thought that the Chamber should again make representations to the Government to consider the Grey district if any move were made to establish such an industry. Mr. Greenslade said they had an assurance from the Government Io that j effect, but it would do no harm to re- | mind them again. All the coals in l New Zealand had been tested, and (AVest Coast products had been found to be of the highest quality for the process. The report on (he testing of New Zealand coals for oil content would probably be of extreme value to the Government.

I .Mr. Robertson said that coal from 133 mines in New Zealand was tested, land there were four from the Grey ’district, Dobson. Wallsend. Paparoa

and Rewanui. and one a section of the Westport Coal Company’s mine, which were far ahead of any other. It was resolved on the motion of the Chairman and Mr. Greenslade that representations be again made to the Government to consider the West Coast in any scheme for the development of oil from coal.

In reply to the chairman. Mr. Caliwell said that he did not think there was anything in the timber industry that the Chamber could take up. The industry was working in co-operation with the Government authorities, and everything was going along smoothly.

CHAMBERS “EVIL INFLUENCE.”

MR. O’BRIEN, M.P., CRITICISED

Producing a copy of the “Argus ’ al November 2. Mr. Greenslade read the following extract, from an article in the magazine page, on “The Power ol Co-operation." by James O’Brien, M.P., for AVestland: “Financiers, newspaper proprietors, merchants and ship-own-ers. mine owners, squatters and their hangers-on organised in (hampers ol commerce, businessmen's associations, hankers’ guilds, progress leagues, and farmers’ unions, to oppose each and every activity of the useful people whether they are grouped in unions or other labour organisations. AVhile one calls attention to these combinations and their evil influence on the human race, the lesson and power of their organisations should not be lost on the workers." Continuing. Mr. Greenslade said he did not wish to strike a discordant note, but he thought members’ attention should be drawn io ?.!••. ! O’Brien's reference to Chambers el Commerce. as having an e\il influence on the human race. Chambers ol' Commerce were specified, and it was insinuated that they had an evil influence. He would like to ask wh> the. member for the district should suggest I hat the Chamber had an evil influence on the public, it was going' a “bit over the odds" for Mr. O'Brien to make such a statement, but he (Mr Greenslade i did not wish to say all | lie had in mind unless members wished to discuss the matter. The Chairman said that the Chamber was not. associated with any political bodies. It was a body of com--1 inercial men assembled to do somei thing in the interests of trade and ‘the district. He thought that if they

took exception to everything they saw in the newspapers they would be kept very busy. He knew Mr. O’Brien was a very busy matt and he (the Chairman)

appreciated the great deal of work Mr. O’Brien had (lone for the district. Mr. Greenslade: I am not suggesting that he has not done a great deal of work for the district, but this is an article purporting to he written by Mr O’Brien.

The Chairman: Perhaps he did not. mean what he said.

Mr. Callwell: He was probably electioneering. Mr. Greenslade said that, the Chamber should not have to put up with such remarks. Mr. O’Brien was representing all sections of the community, and should not have imide such statements against one section. They should not take such remarks lying down. They should have the guts to stand up against them.

The Chairman said it was rather a big question for such a small meeting to discuss. He thought Mr. O’Brien’s attention should be drawn to the reflection on the Chamber. On iMr. Greenslade’s motion, it was decided that a special meeting he called to discuss the remarks made by Mr. O’Brien in reference to Chambers of Commerce, and that Mr. O'Brien he asked to attend.