CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 26 July 1924, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MONTHLY MEETING. Ihe monthly meeting of the Hawera Chamber of Commerce was held last night, when there were present: Messrs J. B. Murdoch (chair), B. McCarthv, E. Dixon, F. Gillanders, E. H. Harrop, and R. Douglas. THE MORATORIUM. The Prime Minister'wrote acknowledging receipt of the Chamber’s letter suggesting that copies of the Mortgages l 1 inal Extension Bill . should be circulated amongst Chambers of Commerce. The representations submitted had been noted and would receive careful consideration. Members mentioned that they had gleaned certain information concerning the Bill from press reports and had noticed that the Bill proposed that the position should be- reversed, so that a mortgagor could apply to a judge of the Supreme Court for relief. That was all right so dong a s there was. no great expense attached to the procedure. Mr. McCarthy thought that the extension should be made to the end of March instead of to the end of the year. This suggestion found general support, it being pointed ■ out that. on March 31 it would be xkasier to furnish banking returns and general financial statements, especially in a dairying district such as this,'where the greatest part of the year’s production would have been handled hv that date. As the chairman said: “If a ;man cannot make a do of it by March he cannot make a do of it at all.” ‘ It was decided to draft a letter to the Prime Minister on the; above lines. THE WHEAT SUPPLY. The South Canterbury ; Chamber of Commerce forwarded a resolution passed by them concerning the necessity for ensuring adequate future supplies of wheat. The resolution was as follows: “That for the purpose of fostering wheat-growing in New Zealand, and of maintaining the Dominion’s independence in this most important industry, pll > restrictions as to price and marketiug> should be withdrawn and adequate protective duties maintained. This chamber is of the opinion, also, that the industry of wheat-growing is of widespread advantage to the labour market in regard to wages for harvesting and working stores at various ports; that the organisations of railuays,, coastal freights and coal mines are largely bound up in grain-growing for their success; that wheat-growing is an insurance to the Dominion against shortage by drought, etc., in Australia and elsewhere, with the resultant national hardship and loss.” , The Hawera Chamber agreed that the restrictions should be removed and wheat-growers allowed more freedom in regard to prices; ‘ but the suggestion to continue protective duties opened up a big question.—lt was decided to inform the South Canterbury Chamber of the Hawera Chamber's views. TAWHITI CROSSING. A reply from the Minister for Railways concerning the condition of the Hawera station yards and the position caused by shunting over the Tawhiti crossing was again read. The chairman mentioned that the yard had been repaired, hut, of course, the trouble at. the crossing still continued. Mr. Dixon considered that the most satisfactory part of the letter wps that in which it stated .that “the matter is now in handJ” He moved that the Chamber write to ihe Minister expressing appreciation of the assurance that the work was now in hand, and also stating that the Chamber was pleased to learn that the inconvenience which had been existing at the crossing for a great number of'years wa s soon to be removed. Mr. Douglas seconded and the motion was carried. TARANAKI-AUCKLAND RAILWAY. Mr, Dixon also referred to the regrettable fact that only one delegate was sent from Hawera to join, the delegation ’which waited on the Prime Minister and the Minister for Railways in connection with the speedy completion of. the Taranaki-Auckland main trunk railway. TV hen the .meeting was held in Hawera the promoters were assured of Ha,wera’ s strongest supnort, but through an oversight Mr. J.' B. Murdoch was the only delegate from Hawera who joined the delegation. The Chamber of Commerce did not meet and did not appoint a delegate and he thought that if the Chamber of’Commerce could not take a prominent part in such a matter what was the use of the Chamber? Also, he understood that the Borough Council had not appointed a delegate. The chairman pointed out that very short notice of the date.of the delegation’s visit was given, hut Mr. Dixon contended that delegates, should have been appointed by the various local bodies pending notification of the date decided on. It was decided to write to the organiser of the deputation, pointing out the oversight and assuring him that Hawera’s sympathies were still with the movement. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Leave of absence was granted Mr. B. C. Bennett on the occasion of his visit to the Old Country. DAYLIGHT SAVING. The New Zealand Sports Protection League wrote asking for support for the Daylight Saving Bill now before the House The chairman pointed out that the Bill might he all rinht for the towns, but no good for the country, where the dairy farmers would be rising at about 2 a.m. in order to get 'to the ■factory in time. Mr. McCarthy moved that the Chamber support the Bill, but there was no seconder and the motion lapsed. The letter was therefore received and no action taken