GREY BUSINESSMEN

Grey River Argus, 27 March 1941, Page 7

GREY BUSINESSMEN

Executive Formed Thirteen businessmen attended yesterday morning’s meeting called to consider the formation of a Businessmen’s Executive, Mr J. Tennent presiding. The Chairman said he was sorry that there was not a larger gathering, but it was the third time a meeting had been called. On the first occasion there was a large attendance, but last week about the same number attended as on that day. To his mind, the position of the town and conditions generally demanded that every businessman should take an interest in the town, and the only way that anything could be accomplished was by co-operation. It was necessary that they should have an executive which could speak with one voice for the businesspeople of Greymouth. Mr P. Beck suggested that the executive should consist of two representatives of each trade, so that if anything cropped up, the representatives 'could meet, and would have a free hand to speak for their trade. The Chairman said he thought Mr Beck’s suggestion was a good one. There was a fairly representative attendance and he thought they should decide whether or not to set up such an executive. It was a pity that there was not more community spirit shown by the businessmen, but he supposed some of them were so preoccupied with their own affairs that they thought they came first.

Mr Beck moved that the meeting form an executive of businessmen, and that representatives be selected for the various trades. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr H. G. Stiles was appointed Secretary of the Executive, pro tern, and Mr Tennent was appointed chairman.

It was decided that those present be elected to represent their respective trades, with power to add, and that any trade not represented be invited to appoint representatives and notify the secretary. The representatives appointed were as follows:— Grocers, Mr P. Beck; jewellers. Mr J. Tennent; drapers, Mr R. Anderson; hairdressers and tobacconists;, Mr R. F. Stopforth; chemists, Mr J. S. Ross; umbrella makers, Mr G. Webster: stationery and fancy goods, Mr L. A. Inkster; hardware, Mr K. E. Balchin; florists, Mr R. P. Chibnall; furniture, Mr H. G. Stiles. A suggestion by Mr G. Webster that the Railway Department should be approached to give the buses authority to pick up and let down passengers at the railway station was deferred for further consideration at the first executive meeting, to be held on April 7. Mr Tennent reported that together with Messrs Balchin and Stiles, he had carried out the instructions of the previous Friday’s meeting, and had approached the District Lighting Controller. The deputation could not get any guarantee that there would be any let-up of the restrictions for the late shopping night on Easter Thursday, as the Controller was under instructions from Wellington. It was pointed out that the Greymouth lighting had reached the zero stage, and that the authorities were building up from that. If it was possible to grant any relaxation, it would be done. The matter of the big lights on the wharf was discussed, and it was pointed out that they were under Government control, and if it was necessary to secure an instant black-out, it could be obtained in a moment by touching the switch. “Let us hope,” concluded Mr Tennent .“that the situation will improve, instead of deteriorating.” Complaints about the black-out were made by Messrs R. Anderson, G. Webster and P. Beck, but no action was taken.