HASTINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 237, 19 September 1922, Page 6

HASTINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The Chamber met last night Mr. W. C. Whitlock (president) in the chair. There was a large attendance. Before commencing the business the chairman said that a serious crisis had arisen in the East. an<T he considered that the Chamber should pass a resolution assuring the Government of their support in the situation. It was quite possible that men would be required and would be sent from the Dominion and they would have to face their duty, although they all fervently hoped that the outbreak would not occur. But if war did happen, then there was only one course open to theca, and that was to support the Government and the Empire, otherwise unless a united stand was taken, the safety of the Empire would be threatened. There was the danger of the flame spreading to India, Egypt and through the Moslem populations and they must assure the Government of their fullest support to whatever action they considered necessary to adopt. He moved in that direction a copy of the resolution to be sent to the Prime Minister. Mr. C. Duff, in seconding the motion, agreed that the resolution was necessary, saying that the carrying of it did not mean that we were going to war. Mr. R. W. Jones, in support of the resolution, said that similar resolutions from Chambers of Commerce, and local bodies all over the Dominion would have a great strengthening effect on the Government.—The motion was carried unanimously. CORRESPONDENCE. H.B. Farmers’ Co-operative Association drew attention to the fact that the Commonwealth and Dominion Line were prepared to send a direct boat to the port of Napier from London on November 22nd, provided that 600 tons of cargo offered. It was suggested that business men should advise ♦heir London agents to ship direct to Napier, whenever possible.—lt was decided to ask the business people to instruct their English buyers accordingly. The Masterton Chamber of Commerce asked support for the movement, urging the deviation of the Rimutaka railway. The chairman said that the communication had been received too late, and he had replied saying that it would be impossible to send a delegate. It was decided to support the action of the chairman and to inform the Masterton Chamber that the proposal had the support of this Chamber in lieu of the duplication of the Manawatu line. REPORTS. Housing Committee.—Mr. J. Wilson reported the result of the Chamber’s delegates interview with the Borough Council, who had decided to apply for the first £5,000 for the erection of • workmen’s dwellings. The houses would be erected in accordance with the plans of the applicants, and in most cases the loans would be supplemented 1 by the applicants’ own money, so that modern residences with full conveni--1 ences would he erected. Mr. C. Duff stressed the fact that applicants must send in their applications direct to the Borough Council ' on the forms provided .for that purpose.—The report was adopted. Publicity and Luncheon Lectures.— Mr. Gordon RoacK.said that they had not been able to secure a lecturer since the last meeting, but he had asked that Mr. Dalton’s (Trade Commissioner) successor should he requested to make the acquaintance of the Hastings business people at a luncheon. The advertising of the town in a Christmas weekly was nearly completed and the booklet in connection with the New Zealand tennis championships was in hand.—Adopted. Parliamentary Bills Committee.—Mr E. J. W. Hallett said that the cqhimittee was arranging for its members to read the hills as they came to hand. The committee would like their attention called to any particular bill which required prompt perusal, so that it could be dealt with. The president said that the bills would always be available to the committee at the “Tribune” office.- —Report adopted. REMITS. Following remits were approved for submittal to the Associated Chambers of Commerce Conference at Dunedin on November Ist and 2nd. Mr. H. C. Bawd.—That the charges made by the Public Trust Department he revised and that the rate of interest allowed to beneficiaries be increased. It was pointed out that the charges made by the Public Trust were higher than those made by solicitors and conciete examples were submitted, and it was said that the office only paid 4| per cent interest, whilst the money was lent out at 6| and 7 per cent. Mr. G. Maddison.— That all hawkers and house to house canvassers be licensed. He said these hawkers visited residences during the absence of the men, and they often frightened the ladies of the houses. Mr. C. Duff.—That the municipal procedure preliminary to the adoption of by-laws be simplified and cheapened. RAILWAY MATTERS. Mr. T. Clarkson drew attention to the fact that every day a train left Hastings for Waipukurau and another for Napier about 5 p.m., within a couple of minutes of each other. The result was that there was considerable risk of accidents and there were many instances of people bound for Napier getting into the wrong train and being well on their way South before they discovered their mistake. He understood that there was no porter available to go through tne carriages and inform passengers regarding the destinations of the trains. Mr. Fryer said that this Waipukurau train blocked the Heretaunga street railway crossing every afternoon for from five to twenty minutes. It would not be tolerated in any other town of the importance of Hastings. Mr. S. O. Garland spoke of the danger of having no porter at the St. Aubyn street crossing, during shunting operations. A man recently just escaped an accident under such circumstances. These three matters were referred to the Transport Committee. ITINERANT TRADERS. Mr. Baird said that the question of charging a license to traders who took shops or sample rooms temporarily in Hastings for the purpose of doing busi- 1 ness, had been before the Chamber j about a year ago. It had been referred to the Borough Council and he would like to know what had been done. Mr. G. Maddison said that it was being considered by the council’s bylaws committee. It was a very important matter. On the motion of Mr. Gordon Roach it Was decided to ascertain whether the managers of banks, the postmaster and the stationmaster were allowed to ] take active participation in the operations of the Chandler of Commerce. <