UNITY SOUGHT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 2 May 1925, Page 5

UNITY SOUGHT.

CO-OPERATION OF RETAILERS

WITH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Although the council of the Hawera Chamber of Commerce last night received intimation of the Hawera, Retailers’ Association’s decision not to amalgamate with the chamber, members of the chamber considered that their objective could be reached by giving the Retailers’ Association representation on the chamber’s council. The intimation was received in the form of a letter from the secretary of the Hawera Retailers’ Association (Mr. R. S- Sage), in which that gentleman stated that he had been instructed to inform the chamber that at a general .meeting of the association, held on April IG, the question of the amalgamation had been fully discussed and the following resolution had been passed; —“That - this association regrets that it cannot see its way to amalgamate with the Chamber of Commerce, thereby losing its identity as an association.” The chairman, Mr. E. Dixon, said that at the last meeting of the council of the chamber, members had all felt that they were leading up to success in the matter of the amalgamation. He was sorry that the Tradesmen’s Association had taken up the stand that it had because be felt sure that it was a mistake. It seemed to him that the association had _J>een more concerned about losing its identity than anything else, but he felt that in the interests of the town generally it would have been wise to have joined up. Proceeding, the chairman said he considered that had there been a round-table conference between the two bodies the association could have been brought to the chamber’s way of thinking. The chairman pointed out that at the first meeting ol the executive of the association there had been a majority in favour of the merger, hut at the last meeting, which was a general meeting, although there were only three outside of the executive present, oninion had turned until the meeting had been finally unanimous against the amalgamation. “However,” said Mr. Dixon, “we will possibly gain our end in a different wav. We can alter our constitution so that say, four members of the Retailers’ Association will be able to occupy seats on our council. Any. business affecting the j retailers that we might have can then be dealt with by them.” Further, Mr Dixon said that if necessary, the two bodies could make a combined effort in connection with matters in which hitherto they had been working separated- A , Mr. L. A. Bone said that the retailers’ association felt that while they had a membership of over 30 and only 8 were members of the Chamber of Commerce, their work in the town was distinct and , separate. Mr. Bone pointed out that if the amalgamation eventuated the Retailers’ Association would lose its identity and at the same time would still have to do its work in connection with holidays and town decorating. Proceeding, Mr. Bone pointed out that in the matter of subscriptions anyone joining both bodies would have to pay a total of £1 11s 6d, whereas j if the amalgamation were effo'ted the subscription would be one guinea. Mr. Horner said that there were four members of the Retailers’ Association on the executive of the chamber. but the chairman pointed out that the four members. referred to were not officially appointed' by the Retailers’ Association.

The secretary (Mr. R.. S. Sage) suggested that the Retailers’ Association should have an ex-officio representation of two on the council. In the discussion which followed several members advanced their opinions on what they considered the representation should he, and it was finally decided that Messrs. B. Me-* Carthy. F. W- Horner, and H. B. Burdekin he a sub-committee to frame a notice of motion for the next general meeting, providing for the alteration of the chamber's rules so :rs to allow the Retailers’ Association the necessary representation.