CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Matamata Record, Volume XX, Issue 2019, 23 March 1939, Page 4

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

SOUTH AUCKLAND MEETING Business Taken at Tauranga A meeting of the South Auckland Association of Country Chambers of Commerce was held at Tauranga on Tuesday evening.* Mr. H. E. Schofield presided over a fair attendance, although only the Matamata and Tauranga chambers were represented. The chairman, *in regretting the small attendance, emphasised the chamber’s huge area, and the difficulty in attending at other than central points. At the moment Chambers of Commerce were passing through a lean period, and quite a number in the area had gone into temporary recess. However, he felt this was only a passing phase as there was much work for such bodies to do. Apologies were read from the Te Aroha, Paeroa and Hamilton Chambers of Commerce, and the Hon. B. C. Robbins, M.L.C.

Hamifton Elected A request from the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, that it be nominated as a member, was received. The chairman pointed out that when the South Auckland Chamber had been formed Hamilton had taken no notice of the circular sent out. Later, he believed, Hamilton went into recess. On restarting Hamilton sent out a letter inviting, other Waikato chambers to take a seat, without vote, on the council of the Hamilton chamber. This was considered by member chambers and all agreed it was putting the cart before the horse, and that Hamilton should join up with the South Auckland chamber. This view they now accepted. It was unanimously decided that the Hamilton chamber be elected tOi membership. The chairman then commented that the Hamilton chamber was the last to join up and every chamber in the district was now affiliated. ■it Universal Half-holiday Anent a remit from the chamber urging the establishment of a universal half-holiday, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, as Minister of Labour, replied that the question of a universal half-holiday affected the Shops and Offices Act. The remit would be noted for consideration, when amendments to this Act were being dealt with. Up to the present it had not been found possible to bring forward legislation consolidating and amending the Shops and Offices Act. Later, the Hott. P. C. Webb wrote stating that it' was not possible at this stage .to Indicate just whether the matter would be dealt with during the coming session, as the programme of work had not yet been drawn up. The representations, however, would be placed before hie colleagues in due course, when the Bill came up for consideration. Mr. O'Hara suggested that a copy of the replies be gent to the Hon. B. C. Robbins. '•? This was approved, with a further copy to Mr. F. W. Doidge, M.P. , Time of Meetings : ■I A further remit suggested that meetings of the chamber be held in the day-time. Mr. D. Ivory thought the suggestion was worth trying. Mr.. F. N. Christian doubted if it was, as he knew of no one in Tauranga who could get away during the day. On the motion of Messrs. L. Flower and IX Ivory, it was decided, to try the next meeting, which was the arihual meeting, during the day-timer It was agreed the time of commencement of meetings be 11 a.m., with a stop for lunch.

‘ ‘ On the motion of Messrs. Chambers and L. 'Flower, it was decided the venue be either Matamata or Morrinsville, to be fixed by the chairman. Travelling Radio Station Mr. J. R. Chambers (Tauranga) referred to the travelling rail-car radio station as being a definite asset to the Dominion.' However, a point to be kept in mind was that there was no mention of it coming into the districts covered by the South Auckland Chamber. It was agreed to urge -upon the Government that the travelling station should be sent to the more important towns in the chamber’s area if at all possible.