IMPARTIAL VIEW TAKEN BY COMMERCE BODY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23314, 25 July 1950, Page 4

IMPARTIAL VIEW TAKEN BY COMMERCE BODY

'J'HE Chamber of Commerce movement takes an impartial view of commercial and trade matters, declared the Dominion president, Mr. H. E. Schofield, Matamata. when addressing the Gisborne Rotary Club yesterday on some of the functions of the organisation. Mr. Schofield said Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce movements were interdependent. He felt that Rotary could plav a tremendous part in helping to raise the development of commercial activity in New Zealand. He was not saying that its standard was low. but he was sure that it could be placed on a much higher level.

Mr. Schofield said he had been astonished to find that the relationship between the two organisations had very often not been dealt with. Both were closely related and both were drawn from the same source. Membership was the same except that one was more extensive.

Opportunity For Rotary Ideals Mr. Schofield considered the Chamber of Commerce movement a natural place for Rotarinns to show the ideals of Rotary. It provided an opportunity for these ideals to be put into practice. “We in the Chamber of Commerce movement are convinced of an essential need existing for friendshin and fellowship among business people.” he said. “Problems can be solved much easier.” Mr. Schofield dealt with another object of the organisation—high ethical standards in business and professions. He referred to Rotary’s ideal of vocational service and a necessity for carrying forward this principle. The application of service to the community was another principle of the movement. Beyond the Realm of Business “We have got past the idea of meeting to discuss just trade and industry.” he said. “We must go far beyond those, for if we have a successful business we must have a happv town. The movement goes beyond the realm of business and helps to take a leading part in assisting matters of civic imporfance.'’ lie added that there could be no distinguishing points between Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce movement and civic development. Inspirnt ! ons gained in Rotary could be carried forward through the machinery of the movement. The fourth object of the movement was the fostering of international goodwill, a field in which there was great scope. “Rotarv is Christianity in working and if we can get a spiritual plane in everyday ordinary life the country will achieve great progress.” said" Mr. Schofield He considered that Rotarians who were members of the Chamber of Commerce were doing yeoman work, but felt that there was scope for more.