BUSINESS MEN MEET

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 83, 20 March 1928, Page 3

BUSINESS MEN MEET

HASTINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. GENERAL MATTERS OF INTEREST. MAIN HIGHWAY, ROUTES. The Hastings Chamber of Commerce met last evening, when Mr J. S. McLeod occupied the chair. In reply to a letter from the Chamber, asking for an assurance that the preference policy regarding the routes of the main highways in this district be strictly adhered to, the Hawke’s Bay County Council suggested that the Chamber take the matter up with the Main Highways Board, with w-hom the final decision rested. —The question was held over pending further investigations, the chairman remarking that the Chamber was desirous of obtaining the views of the County Council, as the opinion of that body was practically the basis upon which the Board acted. PROTECTION OF SEA-BIRDS. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (London) forwarded a circular, saying that the coasts of Great Britain continued to be affected bv waste oil discharged at sea, and the loss of sea-bird life was deplorable. A leaflet was enclosed, showing that leading British shipping companies had installed oil separators which recover the oil and enable the water mixed therewith to be discharged perfectly free from contamination and no pollution of the sea took place. This wa s considered a satisfactory solution of a difficult problem.—Received. DELEGATION TO SAMOA. The Wellington Chamber of Commerce, regarding the proposed business delegation to Samoa and Niue, forwarded printed matter stating that, the Government motor ship Maui Pomare was expected to arrive in New Zealand towards the end of April, so that the proposed delegation would not be able to leave New Zealand for the Islands until early in May, which was a delightful month to visit the Islands. The vessel would be away for the best part of a month. It was proposed to reserve ten berths for the Government and ordinary passengers, so that there would be accommodation for twenty other passengers. The Department was willing to organise a party consisting of members of chambers of commerce, say two from each of the four centres, two from each of the manufacturers' associations, and the balance to be made up from representatives of the fruit trade. If more than twenty delegates desired to make the trip, an endeavour would be made to secure additional accommodation. There was no objection to a delegate being accompanied by his wife or other relatives and friends, but the Department would need a full list of the names. The information that such a delegation might obtain in both import and export trade of these islands should be most valuable, and it was felt that much of the trade from Samoa, especially with the Commonwealth, could be captured bv New Zealand firms, if delegates were sent who could give reliable information as io New Zealand products, actual c.i.f. quotations and. better still, submit samples. Members interested should communicate with the secretary of the Wellington Chamber pf Commerce as soon as possible.—The matter was left in the hands of the secretary to deal with. BANK OVERDRAFT RATES. The Christchurch Chamber of Commerce, regarding the bank overdrafts, forwarded the following resolution for the chamber’s support:— ‘‘That this council approach the chairman of the Associated Banks with a request that, as the adverse course of the trade of the Dominion has been checked, the banks favourably consider the reduction of thenoverdraft rates as from April 1 next, to those in force prior to May 9th last, and that all other New Zealand chambers be asked to support the application. The Auckland chamber wrote enclosing a minute of their chamber referring to the application for the reduction of the bank rate, proposed by the Canterbury chamber, in which the following resolution was recorded:— That, in the opinion of this chamber, it is important, in the interests of trade recovery, that immediately the statistical position of the banks, as regards London balances and as regards ratio of advances to deposits shows signs of approaching normal-

ity, bank rates and exchange should be restored to points approximating to those in force eleven months ago. A copy of this resolution to be sent io all associated _ chambers.—After a general discussion, it was decided, on the motion of Mr Duff seconded by Mr Hallett, that the Auckland remit be supported. FINANCIAL POSITION. The secretary reported that at present the chamber had a credit balance of over £B. There were 24 outstanding subscriptions to be collected. and this matter was now receiving his attention. An offer was made by the chairman to canvass the town for new members, and he hoped that other members of the chamber would assist him in the undertaking.—lt was decided to hold over the canvass until towards the close of the chamber’s year.