CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 February 1929, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

'By Teleg.aph—Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Feb. 14. In his Presidential address to the Onamber of Commerce. Mr H. T. Merritt. said it was not his intention to consider the causes which brought alxiut the Reform debacle at the election, except to state that the late Government failed to guago to any degree o' accuracy deep resentment that was felt by nearly all classes of the community against seeming reluctance to clinch the growing interference of the State in the private trading of the community. Apparently such resentment was not confined to the cities, but even penetrated the ranks of primary producers. Recent pronouncements by responsible members of the present Government to thoroughly investigate the position were more than welcome. The country had been waiting for many ycar s for the repeal of the war regulations introduced at a time when admittedly necessary. Mr Merritt said he did not think he was betraying a confidence when lie informed the audience that the Chamber had received an assurance from the Department concerned that the repeal of the regulations will he one of the first considerations to be considered. LESS SOCIAL SERVICES. -

“How long are we to waft oefore the oonoxious clauses of the Dairy Control Bill are abrogated” lie queried. “Are we liecoming a race of mollycoddles?” lie asked when referring to a large increase in the number of persons employed in State Departments, which lie said was largely due to the increasing demand of the public upon the State for social services. “The State is expected to provide economic utilities that could properly be done by organised capitalistic exploration, and also act as a. Imge pawnbroker for people to build their homes at less than the market price of capital, to provide free school liool.s. dentists, doctors, lawyers and generally act as Father Christmas all the year round.”