APATHETIC

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 214, 24 August 1927, Page 3

APATHETIC

HASTINGS BUSINESS MEN SMALL ATTENDANCE AT MEETING. CHAIRMAN SPEAKS OUT. At last night’s meeting of the Hastings Chamber of Commerce, specially convened to discuss the provisions of the proposed Bankruptcy Amendment Act, Mr. Hallett, who was elected to the chair, expressed himself in candid terms on the apathy displayed by the business people regarding a subject which vitally affected their interests, an apathy that was evidenced .by their pronounced absence on an occasion like the present.

Mr Hallett said: “There are only two business men, three solicitors and one publac accountant present to consider the amendments proposed in the Bankruptcy Act. The solicitors and the accountant have only a professional interest in the business before the meeting, and if the business men of Hastings have not sufficient interest in the proceedings to be present, then 1 feel that 1 am only wasting my time in coming here in an endeavour to help things along, t’he idea in holding this meeting was to give the business people an opportunity of bringing forward any views they may hold regarding the necessity, or otherwise, of the proposed amendments, or of suggesting improvements, but now things are no further advanced than they were a week ago. If you desire, I will sit here and hear your views, but I don’t feel inclined to take part in the discussion. I feel entirely dissatisfied, and as far as I am concerned. 1 cannot see any good in going on with the meeting.” Mr. Duff: Those present may express views that might be helpful? Mr. Hallett: What is the use of expressing views which must be merely personal? You may express personal views but we are not justified in expressing views as representative of the Chamber of Commerce, with this attendance. Mr. Duff: It certainly appears that the people of Hastings are perfectly satisfied with the Bankruptcy law proposed amendments. PERFECTLY DISGUSTED. Mr. Hallett: Apparently they are not sufficiently interested to care whether they are amended or not. I am perfectly disgusted. 1 have gone to considerable trouble in going into the subject, and I came, here to-night at some inconvenience to myself. Mr. Harvey: The business people appear to be apathetic, but they have come to look upon the Chamber of Commerce as a body which acts on their behalf and they are prepared to accept the Chamber’s decisions. Mr. Hallett: To me it seems futile to set out to express the views of the Chamber when we have no standing.

Mr Duff and the secretary (Mr. Perrin) supported the opinion expressed by Mr. Harvey. Mr. Tonkin: I fully agree with the ehairman. The business people do not seem to take any interest in what is. after all. their own affair. Mr. Hallett: Well. I’m satisfied to preside and hear what you have to say. but 1 don't feel disposed to offer anv opinions.

It was informally decided to proceed with the meeting-