CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11549, 28 January 1932, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

■ ■ . ANNUAL MEETING HELD. ■ APPEAL FOR MEMBERS. 1 HARD STRUGGLE AHEAD. At. thf' annual mooting of the Chamber of Commerce, hold in tne Borough C-ouno.il chambers yesterday a ftovnomi, Mr. L. Miles presided over Messrs. T. Coitson, A. L. M UI H .[■ E. Toiiovolifl'e, R. W. J Eehvaids, Al. .1. White, E. T. Do klrellj AS . Turnbull, C. G. Bloore, H. * - * ouster, .1. H. Simdotuand. T. L. B.'i], L. T. Burnard, A. W. Gough, T • Tolerton, T. G. Lawless, AY. lilHUay, E. T. Clinsp, A. Wilson, G. A. Ntcho’.W, James C'hrisp and the .secretary, Air. AY. Hamilton Irvine, fn moving the adoption of the. annual report and balance sheet, n<s a ready published, the chairman it nlajrked That the membership had fallen awav slightly during the year. The. Chamber; he said, was one oi the last things from which members should resign on account of financial stringency. The Chamber had d. ficult" problems to face, so they mif-A maintain its membership nioreaso tlu s it’ possible. At this tuno last year,' they had confidently anticipated a brighter year ahead. AVithrmt wanting to he pessimistic, the speaker said lie did not thinlc they could hope for much improvement in the next twelve mpntns. They must put their shoulders to the * wheel and onto tine rigid economy in trying to carry the country through. ' “We in New Zealand cannot solve the problem, which m world-wide,” said Air. A Lies, ‘‘hut there are others greater than us who <»an, and they look to us for support. I am sorrv ' J cannot -speak mere cheerfully, hut; we must face thn factW manfulY.” Air. Miles went on to say that the position in this district would be aggravated shortly if min did not come to break the drv ’Spell. Air. Aides extended the thanks of the Chamber to the Press for reports of meetings, and to the Chief Postmaster, Air. D. Black, whose help had solved many litt.o difficulties in regard to Ids Department. The speaker thanked the executive and the council of the Chamber for support during his term of office, and made, special reference to the work of the secretary, whese nssi stance had boon inva 1 liable avid whose dutie; had always been carried out wit'll great thoroughness. The speaker trusted, in conclusion, that he had given satisfactory service during his period of- office. Air." T. Corson seconded the motion to adopt the report and balance sheet. In the course of discussion on the report, Air. C. G. Bloore said that, here in Gisborne, the Chamber had dene a great deal for the district. If a number of people could only realise the wonder!ul work done by the Central Chamber in Wellington they might look on the local body with a l:«is prejudiced eve. He. annealed lor additional membership. The stoppage of the railway was The greatest Mow the distr'et had ever had, while the unemployment question was exercising all minds. It was deplorable to see trained men. in 'so my. cases professional men, wasting their talents navvying on nnpr'dnetive relief works. He would like to see a training college in agriculture started hero. The work being done at the Bedding Agricultural Cn M ogo was an eye opener to the rest of New Zealand. Nothing led been done m Poverty Rav for doner settlement and, <T k’te. the Government had been doing verv litt'e nnvwhere. The Government should raise money s-meliow for closer settlement. Mr. Bloore concluded hv extending an invitation to all reepln to come and take an active and inteTigent interest in the work whiGi was going on. Tim report and balance sheet were adooto'l. Aroscrs. AY. R. R. AYillook. IT. RAVilliams and 1. J. Corn were elected to membershi’) of the Chamher. Officers ver ( > elected nc follows:—-Ure-idei'l. A’r. F. R. Rail: vice-pre-sident. Air. P. 0. T. Pcnco'-ke ■ council, Ale-'-'-s. L. AG'es. A. AY Gough, C. G. 1»lei- re, K. T. Dochlre’l. J. Chi-Tn. T Cov,(.u TT. P" Co-da. AYm. Ei ml lav. A. H Wilson R. AY. J. El wards. II E. Eorsier. T. G. l awless, A. T, Ainu, AC J. AYh’M. T. E. Ton. eveliffe, F. Tolerten, Geo. Nichol'.s -nd AY f-'and(-r.‘i: lion, auditor, AH'. E. 11. Lawton: hou. secretary, AD AAY Hamilton Irvin".

fn tnkinnr over the chair firm Al*’ viiles, the n'ewly-elecU <1 n r esident 'All- Bid'! said the Chamber had done m-mb good work-, of tvhieh it might well he proud, b-’t he supposed if had as-skied in urging expenditure in otic- direction or another on the . Government. The speaker thought all wrubl reeks., that the limit to which New Zealand could no in the matter of expenditure had been reached, end if- should he iß'sed that future expenditure—and there must be' some expenditure—should aim at opening un avenues of fresh revenue. The accumulation of cpnunodities and money was undesirable, while the free distribute n of commodities and the free circulation of money were essential. Air. Rail stressed the need for a -sympathetic under banding ot the situation. There was a tendency to Maine the Government for not righting the position, but it would be more to the point to assist it. Tn assisting, the Chamber would he playing it s correct part. Tn conclusion. Air. Rail congratulated the retirin'' nresident on the able manner in which he had carried out his duties.

A r r. F. Tolerton congratulated Air. Rail on his appointment, and went < n to move a vole of thanks to Air. Miles for libs splendid service as president, a position into which he had put far more time than the average person was prepared to do., The motion was seconded by the chairman and carried.

MONTHLY MEETINGS

ALL MEMBERS AfAY ATTEND

CHAMBER’S NKAV POLICY

It was .suggested by ALr E. T. Doddrell, at the annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday that, instead of the monthly council meeting and quarterly general meetings now held, the Chamber should throw the monthly meeting open to ail members, who should have power to vote- All- Doddrell thought that, having the right to express opinions and cast votes at only one meeting in ’three month's, the ordinary members of the Chamber would fend to lose interest. Mr H. F, Forster said he agreed with Mr Doddrell. He thought the Chainlw should hnve an open meeting once a month. He also thought it could tie away with the council and have just an executive. Air T. Corson also spoke in favor of the suggestion. If carried into effect, ho said, it should aroiVse a lot of enthusiasm.

Mr F. Tolerton said ho also agreed with Air Doddrell. If an ordinary member were to miss a quarterly meeting it would be six months before that member would get a chance to air his opinions. Air Al. J. White thought they might reduce the council to six members and let every monthly meeting bo open to tho whole Chamher. He asked if the annual meeting had power to make that change.

On referring to the rules it was found that any change in the con-

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