CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 29 April 1922, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MEETING OF COUNCIL

The monthly meeting of the council of the Hawera Chamber of Commerce was held last evening. Present; Messrs J. B. Murdoch (chairman), Sutton, Burgess, Harrop, Sellar, McCarthy, Runciman, and Sage (secretary). Apologies were received from Messrs F. Mills, Cuming, and Bennett. The president said that Mr Flannagan had spent a few days in Hawera, and had discussed with a number of people the question of mortgage adjustments. So great was the number of people who desired to see him that there was quite a queue outside the office m which he sat. He understood that Mr Flannagan was likely to make another visit to the district, and though he (Mr Murdoch) was not able to learn wat was m his mind, he understood that he was working on some scheme with the object of bringing about an adjustment. Mr McCarthy, on being referred to, said he could give no information with regard to the principle Mr Flannagan was working on. The president, reporting on the visit ot the Minister of Public Works, said the deputation which waited upon him had been informed that the work of rebuilding the police station was to be proceeded with immediately, but the matter of undertaking work on the site of the new railway station was in abeyance. With regard to unemployment, Mr Murdoch said he had been in touch with Mr Coleman, who he had learned, had no office and c0. u.,« only te seen at his private house | which was very inconvenient for all. !Mr Coleman was only attached to the Borough Council staff as health officer, and did not attend during regular hours at the Council Chambers. There was surely enough work in Hawera to warrant the Department in providing the officer with an office, but as Mr Coleman's duties took him outside a good deal an assistant would have to he appointed if an office was opened, and the Department may not sanction this additional expense. Mr Sutton pointed out that reductions of staffs due to bad times wis likely to increase the number of unemployed, and it was desirable that the inspector should attend at an office during certain hours during the week. Mr Harrop said there was no sign outside the inspector's residence, 01 anything to indicate where he lived. On the motion of Mr McCarthy, seconded by Mr Sutton, it was decided to write to the Department, askin°- it to provide an office for the inspector, and failing this that a sign be erected at His residence. The president said there were not a i great many out- of employment whc j were not prepared to go out of the town j and it was difficult to meet the requirements of these people. ±io hac learned that men had actually beer , brought from Wellington to work or public works in Taranaki. I Several members expressed the view that attention to the unemploymen. question required a good deal mort time than the present officer, with hn , manifold duties, could give. IMr Bond (Hawera Star) was electee a member of the chamber on the motion of Mr McCarthy. The subscription of £2 2s to the As- , so.iated Chambers was passed for 'payment. J jMr E. P. Cox forwarded his resigna- . tion as a member, and Mr M. J I Lynskey's resignation as the chamber'! representative on the Advisory Boarc iof the Technical School was also received. j Both resignations were accepted, am] . a vote of thanks was passed to Mr Lynskey for his services in the past! j lhe appointment of a successor was held j over till next meeting. I The Eltham Chamber wrote support!mg the Hawera Chamber's action in J protesting against the closing of banks ;at 11.30 on Saturday.—Received. ! The New Plymouth Chamber wrote j stating that it felt it would be better to watch the experiment made by the banks and its effect before taking any action.—Received. The Government Statistician wrote stating that free copeis of the New Zealand Official Year Book, and other statistical publications could no longer 'be sent to the Chamber, but copies would be sent at the following price?; • j Year Book 7s 6d; Monthly Abstract ii Statistics. Is per copy or 10s 6d per annum; Statistics of New Zealand, i.i nine parts, 24s 6d.—Received. The Minister for Public Works wrote stating that the Chamber's representations with respect to the provision of tents and food kitchens on relief works would receive careful consideration.— Received. The Hon. D. G. Guthrie wrote stating that he was having inquiries made m connection with the Chamber's request that the work of ere-ting the Hawera railway station be proceeded with.--_:o_-eived. The --strict Inspector of Factories wrote tating that he had advised the local .nspector of factories at Hawera to supply the Chamber" with any information that may assist them in meeting the difficulty of unemployment- in the town. He had, however, heen informed by Mr. Coleman that up till a nionth ago he had no applications for work, and that during tb« last month he had had only ten applications, and some of these were not from residents of the town. He was in communication with the District Public Works Engineer with a view to placing men, and a communication would be sent to the Chamber as soon as definite information was available.—Received. The deputy district telegraph engineer wrote in reply to the Chamber's application for three additional coin-in-the-slot telephones in Hawera. It was estimated that the annual deficiency would be: Park gates £23, corner of High and Argyle Streets £22 IBs, and corner of Wilson Street and Glover Road £23 18s. The president said that if the Department was prepared to hand over any profits that might be made they might be prepared to consider the proposition. The attitude taken up by the Deartment was a very peculiar one. It was decided to reply stating that the Chamber could not guarantee deficiency. A statement showing the rate of exchange in various countries was received, and the chairman said that the periodical lists were now published in the Star with results that were quite satisfactory. The president brought up the matter of approaching the banks with a view to having the rate of interest reduced. He stated that tho rate of interest had j been reduced .yi England ancl the banks j here should tak-e similar action. In j Taranaki a number of private lenders j had reduced their interest, but these could not be expected to go very far j while the bank rate remained the same. He would move that the banks be asked [ to consider the times through which the ' I country was passing and reduce the rate j of interest. Mr. Harrop said that if the rate w«s

reduced it would tend to restore public' . confidence and encourage enterprise ] The president: If the banks bring 1 down the rate private lenders will act i similarly. The bank rate at Home was ] now only 4£ per cent. , Mr. Harrop said the rate had been i j increased with the object of stifling ■ speculation. That purpose had been accomplished, and tlie need to-day was to encourage enterprise. He seconded the motion. The motion was carired, and it was decided to forward copies to the banks I and the Associated Chambers. Mr. Runciman referred to the delays ! experienced in having stuff arriving by boat at New Plymouth railed to Ha- 1 wera. He said that from seven to ten ' days sometimes elapsed after the arrival of the boat before delivery was given. It was stated that the sheds at New < Plymouth were too small, and the stuff was unloaded into them in such a promiscuous way that it was sometimes difficult to get at any particular goods later. On the motion of Mr. Runciman it was decided to write to the Railway Department requesting a quicker despatch and a more methodical handling of stuff. It was decided to also appeal to the New Plymouth 'Chamber for their assistance in the matter.