ANNUAL MEETING

Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1932, Page 5

ANNUAL MEETING

N.Z. CHAMBER COMMERCE. BRITISH CONFERENCE POSTPONED. (Per Press Association — Ceyyright. ) DUNEDIN, Oct. 27. The Deputy-Mayor (Mr .V. W. Mitchell) in the absence of the Mayor welcomed the delegates to the annual meeting of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, which commenced this morning.

Mr W. Machin (President) said that in the prssent economic condition of the Dominion, they should not allow the value of men to be subordinated to the value of gold.

Mr Machin welcomed Mr H. H. Sterling to the conference, and congratulated him and tlie Railways Board on the business like statement recently issued, and on the Board’s attempt to reduce overhead expenditure to meeet reduced revenue.

Mr Machin read cablegrams from the Federation of Chambers of the British Empire, asking that the proposed visit of delegatse to New Zealand next year be postponed for three years. The request was agreed to. The following resolution was adopted: ‘“That this Conference unanimously protests against the action proposed to be taken against a member of the National Expenditure Commission on the following grounds:— (1) That the Commission was appointed by the representatives of His Majesty tlie King for the express purpose or reviewing and reporting upon public expenditure in all its aspects, and that the remarks published were undoubtedly within tlie terms of the reference.

(2) That in the opinion of this Conference it is of tlie utmost importance and in the public interest that where matters are referred to a Royal Commission, each member of such Commission should be free to express him. self freely and frankly according o the evidence brought before the Commission.

(3 That if action is taken it will be impossible to get men of the right stamp to undertake similar work in the public interest. (4) That if criticism of Parliament is to be a breach of privilege, one of the most fundamental principles of British liberty will be violated. (5) That it is also essential in the public interest that the newspapers should be free to express criticism of Parliamentary action when necessary.”