CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Grey River Argus, 27 May 1922, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MORE ENTHUSIASM DESIRED. The Chamber of Commence met yesterday. Present: Messrs J. D. Lynch (chairman), J. Ring, A. Naylor, J. McLean, P. IL Passau, T. Jones, F. A. Kitchingham, T. E. .Coates, T. Topliss, W. If. Parfitt. An apology was received from Mr AV. R. Kettle, who has been ill for several days. Apologies for absence wore also received from the following:—Messrs J. Steer, A. 11. Roberts, A. Smith, E. Warnes, 11. O'Neill, I). Tennant, McCallum, Thorpy, Brown. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT. The chairman presented his annual report as follows: — In accordance with resolution carried at the last meeting, I have pleasure in submitting for your consideration, report on tho work of the* Chamber during the past year. Seven meetings have boon held at which various important matters have been dealt with by the members from time to time ami dealt with industries of which this district is concerned in. Your Chamber has stressed on tho Government

the importance of tho industries and more particularly permission to export white pine to Australia under a reciprocity arrangement. It has been stressed upon tho Government the necessity for a speedy completion of the Ot ira Tunnel, matters in connection with Native Reserves, railway time-tables, coal frade, carriage of goods betweeu larger ports and tho West Coast, telephonic communication between Greymouth and Christchurch and very many other matters too numerous to mention, in some instances with a measure of success and in others, good spado work has been done which will later on result, your committee hopes, in the- advancement of tho West Coast. As mentioned at the last meeting it was decided to endeavour to induce more activity in the work of tho Chamber and with this object in view, members decided to have an election of officers and committee. I have hero the Memorandum and Articles of Association, I and a perusal of same will show you that the Chamber consists of one president, two vice-presidents, a committee of 17 members, and one auditor; the committee, including the president and two vice-presidents, who shall bo ex officio members, who shall during their term of office have the management of the business and funds of the association. There are only 3S members of t he Chamber which is a matter for very < f rcnt regret indeed seeing so much useful work has been done and so much more could be done if business people would take a greater interest in the jchamber. Of tho 3S barely half the members are financial. Ihe rules and regulations require, some revision, they were originally drafted in IS<7 and should be brought up-to-date. I have to thank members for tho courtesy shown to mo during my term of office and for the assistance given to me from time to time in the fulfilment of the duties. Members have often complained of the great lack of interest taken in the welfare of the district and if the work of the Chamber is io go on and labours of the members fruitful a much more active interest will have to be taken by, not only by present members, but by other residents of the town. Unfortunately, as is well known too much is left to a few. There is room for all and if the work hvere sub-divided to a greater extent

as in other places much more progress would be made. Tho chairman said a feature of the meetings was tho appearance of tho same old faces around tho table. If one or two members were away tho meeting went ‘‘by the board.” A great number of important business men in the town were not members of the Chamber. Thirty-eight members out of a population of 5000 was very small indeed. He questioned as to whether tho election of officers should be hold to-day or be held over until a larger meeting. Mr McLean regretted the lack in interest shown by business men in the welfare of tho town, and mentioned tho enthusiasm which prevails among tho people of Hokitika. Ho suggested postponing till' election of officers for a period in anticipation of a larger meeting and a litlto more enthusiasm. Mr Ring said the hour of tho meeting (J p.m.) was very inconvenient for some business people. Ho had no suggestion to make in this regard. Mr Topliss asked how many meetings had been held on the specified date. The chairman: Seven meetings during the year. Mr Topliss considered this responsible for a great deal of tho slackness among members. Mr Naylor said some time ago two members canvassed portions of the town and secured 30 members. He thought if several other members could organise a thorough canvass it would bo very satisfactory. The chairman expressed an open mind, and wished to see the Chamber be reorganised and placed on a solid foundation. It was decided that Messrs Naylor, Parfitt, Passau, McLean, Topliss, and Kitchingham canvass for members of the Chamber. GENERAL. The chairman asked for suggestions o f i,n placed before the Minister of Health on Monday. He noticed the representations made by tho Chamber to the Government regarding the railway station had done a certain amount of good as a coat of paint was at present being administered. Mr Ring: What is the use of that. Tho chairman: It is something at least. Mr Ring: Waste of money. It was decided that the next meetiuj

of tho Chamber be held on Friday, Juno 9, at 4 p.m., when the election of officers will take place. The Wanganui Chamber of Commerce wrote asking if-any action could be taken in the direction of securing better facilities for direct trade from th-? port of Wanganui to Greyinouth. The letter stated that, although Anchor vessels often left Wanganui for Greyport of Wanganui to Greyinouth. The letMr McLean said that when cargo was desired from Wanganui by Greymouth firms, it was sent by way of Wellington, and he thought it would be much more satisfactory* if tho cargo could be shipped direct. Ho moved that the Wellington agents for the Anchor Co. bo communicated with through tho Greymouth agents, with a view to having this object achieved. Mr Naylor asked if the Chamber could get some information from tho local agents first. He thought this would bo more satisfactory, as they’ could supply any information. Mr McLean withdrew his motion and Mr Naylor moved that the necessary information be secured from tho local Anchor agents and forwarded to tho Wanganui Chamber. Seconded by Mr McLean and carried. The Dannevirko Chamber and Commerce wrote suggesting that tho annual Chamber of Commerce Conference b® hold at Wellington during each Parliamentary session, instead of in November of each year as hitherto. Mr McLean considered tho suggestion a good one. Ho moved that the Chamber approve of it. Quo member was heard to remark that it would bo nearer tho Wellington race meeting and consequently very handy. Tho resolution was carried,