CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 27 June 1935, Page 9

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

OUTLINE OF ACTIVITIES “GIVING BUSINESS A VOICE” ADDRESS BY N.Z. SECRETARY. The activities and objects of the New Zealand Associated Chambers of Commerce were outlined by Mr A. O. Heany, secretary of the organisation, in an address to members of the Hawera chamber last night. ’the president, Mr E. K. Cameron, was in the chair and extended a welcome to Mr Heany, The subject of Mr Ileany’s address was, “Giving Business a Voice.” He briefly traced the history of chambers of commerce. The actual

chamber of commerce movement had its birth more than 300 years ago, in France. British chambers of commerce were now a widespread organisation, and, indeed, the whole ’chamber of commerce movement to-day girdled the world. The object of one of the early British Chambers of Commerce when formed IdO years ago was “to take cognisance of every matter and thing, that shall be in tho least degree connected with the interests of commerce,” said the speaker. That was to day the object of every chamber of commerce, and it ac-

counted for the extraordinary diversity of subjects dealt with by chambers of •commerce, although throughout all those subjects,ran a connecting thread. PRICELESS ADVANTAGE. “We hear a good deal these days about acts of suppression and oppression in foreign countries,” said the speaker. “The mor.al effect of a voluntary movement is, without doubt, greater than that which is subservient to higher authorities. It is not generally known that, on the Continent, chambers of commerce are to a large extent dependent on the goodwill of their respective Governments. While certain privileges are given these chambers by Government, certain duties to Government are imposed on them by law, while an association of members is even prohibited from making its views public, or acting in public as an association. However, in British countries, including New Zealand, the Government of the day has no power over chambers, and public opinion, through chambers of commerce, is free to express itself. That is a priceless advantage, even if the Government of the day is not always entirely pleased with the opinions expressed. “That brings me to the matter of chambers of commerce and criticism. It is not always understood that the function of chambers is to co-operate whenever pnPfiblc with the elected representatives of the people on Government bodies.* There is a tendency to think the chamber of commerce does nothing else but criticise. This is due to the fact that when there is criticism, that •attracts attention, whereas when there is co-operation, that is taken as a matter of course. The man who agrees and who sets to work quietly is not considered as spectacular in his efforts as tlie man who boldly criticises, and so those actions of a chamber of commerce which may be considered critical la re demonstrative in their appeal to the public, while those efforts, which are co-operative make no special appeal, and are often ignored by those who watch the work of chambers of commerce”

“NO ONE’S BUSINESS.” The increasing part played by public governing' authorities in economic affairs h;ad correspondingly given chambers of commerce more to think about. A former New Zealand Minister of the .Crown had recently stated: “Chambers of commerce have acted as a sort of clearing house for the collection and scrutiny of the demands of many other economic groups, and for passing judgment on those demands. The task is a difficulty land thankless one, but if it is well done it is of supreme importance, and of the highest value to the community. A great writer once said that the characteristic defect of democracy was that it no one’s business to look after the interests of the public, and my belief is that chambers of commerce are charged with that duty. ’ ’ The speaker recalled that, in following that lode-star, the chambers of commerce had organised public opinion

in favour of the setting-up of a commission to deal with State expenditure, and said that as a result of the recommendations of tho National Expenditure Commission, which had then been set up, economies amounting to £2,500,000 had been effected since 1932. ThjuF had been a direct saving to the taxpayers, who were an inarticulate body for whom the chambers of 'commerce acted. Hand in hand with the matter of restraining excessive Government expenditure, therefore, the chambers of commerce exerted efforts to secure reductions in taxation, and to ensure that the incidence of taxation was equitable. These illustrations siiowcd how chambers of commerce engaged in subjects which would largely go by default otherwise, because they were not the particular 'concern of any one economic group, although being the vital concern of all groups.

The speaker explained the manner in which the executive had conducted a campaign for ia: reduction of State expenditure on public works out of loan monies, and for the reorganisation of the Public Works Department, kept a watchful eye on public finance and on Parliamentary and legislative methods, and hiad supported, opposed or promoted legislation according to the nature of the legislation as affecting the public interest. The chambers of commerce devoted a great deal of time to research, representations and publicity on these and other subjects, such as banking, exchange, housing, transport, monetary questions, education in certain of its phases, unemployment, rating, local government, the growth of State functions and the dangers attending that growth, Government by orders-in-council, and so on, all these matters being dealt with from a strictly nonparty standpoint. POLICY OF EXECUTIVE, Mr Ilcany dealt at length with many other aspects of government, together with the policy of the associated chambers on various questions ranging from price fixation to earthquake-resisting buildings. The first concern of a chamber of commerce was the growth and prosperity of its own community, but chambers also had national responsibilities, and a part to play in their country’s affairs. In conclusion, Mr Hcany quoted the remarks of the President of the 'United States: The chamber of commerce is made up of numerous special intersts, and is. rightly an advocate of those interests up to the point where they claim more than the community can afford to give them. Then and always a great chamber of commerce will represent the people as a whole. It is greater than any group, greater than all its groups. The greatest vitalising force in any community iu a free democratic country to-clay in the intelligent, organised public opinion generated by its chambers of commerce. ’ ’ The question of incorporation was j briefly discussed by those present and on the motion of Mr F. W. Horner, a vote of thanks to the speaker was car- ’ ried by acclamation.