CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 8 November 1924, Page 6

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

SPECIAL MEETING. At the special meeting of the council of the Ha wera Chamber of Commerce, arranged to be held last night to consider certain business, there were present Messrs E. Dixon (chair), E. C. Fletcheer, 11. A. Douglas, B. McCarthy, P. Bond, E. W. Horner and R. S. Sage (secretary). MEETINGS. In bringing forward again the matter of which lie had spoken at . the annual meeting, Mr Bond said he was strongly of opinion that they had not sufficientgeneral meetings. Quarterly meetings were not sufficient. It was disappointing to find that the attendance was so small in comparison with the imporri ance of the chamber. He recognised that they should be controlled as were local bodies and trade organisations. They should have more frequent general" meetings, and this was highly: important. If there were matters with which it was impossible ,to deal at such meetings, then it would be necessary to investigate these matters and have

a report before they could deal with them” as they should do. The council should first meet and bring down recommendations or supply such information so as to be in a position to discuss them. There might be matter affecting the state of trade which should J be taken strictly in committee. Professional and commercial men might give figures and facts not to be made known. There was much business which it was not desirable to discuss in open meeting, but he added that there should be no lack of publicity when it was desirable, and by that means the chamber gained- much benefit. He considered two meetings in the quarter, with perhaps a meeting of the executive on one afternoon, would, meet the question. He urged, working side by side with the retailers, because the latter had a- considerable interest in matters referred to the chamber. He said' he had no idea of extinguishing the reI tailers as a working body for their own I interests. The chamber, however, should be a greater power than it is at present. Their meetings should lie larger and more representative of every | side of business life.

On his motion it was resolved that a sub-committee be set up to go into the question, of more frequent 'general meetings and that of taking council business in committee. This was carried, Messrs McCarthy, Bond and Horiler being appointed the sub-com-mittee. Mr Horner said if they had dealt with the question of merging first the rest would be easier of solution. It would lie a better position if they had settled with the retailers. He considered attention should be drawn to the small number of members. The two bodies had similar aims, and therefoi’e should merge, but have a separate committee of the council to deal with retailers’ business. This would provide adequate representation, and increase the efficiency of the chamber. He moved: That representatives of the chamber he ] appointed to confer with delegates from the retailers with a view to union.

The president said he did not expect much success on these lines, which had been tried years ago. If they were not satisfied they should get to

work and increase the membership and have a campaign to make the chamber a greater power in their midst. The secretary said that retailers had felt their aims were not identical .with those of the chamber. They should be those of the chamber, though they had some interests in common. They should be represented on the chamber, and this could he done by a slight modification of Rule 5, dealing with representation of various local bodies. If they added the retailers that would get over the difficulty. He considered matters of joint interest should be referred to them both. The president said that a conference would bring about what was required. Meessrs Fletcher, Dixon and B. McCarthy were appointed to confer with the retailers. CONFERENCE. Mr F. W. Horner was appointed delegate from Hawera to the Annual Conference in Wanganui on November If) and 20. RE-VALUATIONS. Mr Fletcher referred to the matter of the valuations of the borough and county.' 1 The president said they all recognised the injustice brought about as between Hawera and Patea in connection with Harbour Board and Hospital rating. He said that it was only a fair thing to bring down the boremgh and county valuations, and this district should have the support of the whole province. He was very pleased to see that Mr Massey had promised the revaluation. On the motion of Mr Fletcher, it was resolved that this meeting of the Chamber of Commerce desire to thank the Prime Minister for his promise to remove the grave injustice done to the town and district ,n the matter of the Harbour Board and Hospital rating, by having a revaluation made at the earliest opportunity next year. It was also resolved that a copy of the motion be sent to. the Minister and the member for the district and to the Town Clerk. DENTAL CLINIC. *

The president moved that the Chamber request the Minister to open a. dental clinic in the old Technical School for tlie benefit of the children in the Hawcra, and surrounding districts. Tie saiil the time was over-ripe for making, this request. ''.They should have sni-li an institution, ami there would bo little expense been use of the room being available. It would be a boon to the children to have attention at an early age, and if would be a. national asset if the children wen-, assisted so as to aft ill ire the habit of looking after their teeth. It was decided to send a copy of the resolution to the Minister of Kducatin n. ’ GENERAL. Mr McCarthy suggested tiic so! line Up ot a vip.i hi 1 ice com tut t tec to wai.ch the mtovoxi-.s of i.h,- iovii and district, such, as railway and po.-iuti mat I its, visit of important men to, id to town, and apy oidior questKnis ol value to the district. Messrs rio-mer, Roml ami McCarthy were deputed |t,- bring down a ‘report on the subject. The president drew atontion to the letter from the ’Railway Department in reierettce Lo freight rates on benzine, and said he considered the actio it. ol the Chamber had been responsible. The matter of the alteration in the plans for the railway station, and ajso Die. blocking of the Tawhiti crossing were referred to by the president. Mr Corrigan, M.P., advised that these matters had boon-put before the Minister, and it was resolved that as no answer luul been received a telegram asking for a reply should he forwarded.

A brief discussion took place on the proposed remits from Stratford dealing with Dio betterment of farm lands in the hack country and the claims of settlers, and while the general opinion was in favour of urging ail that could be done in cases where help coul<E be

given, it was considered the question as put was too wide to. be. dealt with by the Chamber. It was resolved, however, to approve of restricting the claim of the Tax Department in the matter of unpaid taxes from mortgagee, tenants or owner at law, in the case of those lands that have deteriorated.. This was all. the business, and a good and userid meeting then terminated.