Chamber of Commerce

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13949, 30 July 1918, Page 8

Chamber of Commerce

VARIOUS MATTERS DISCUSSED. * The Chamber of Commerce mot lust night, Mr L. C. Collinson presiding. AFTERNOON MEETINGS. Mr M. A. Elliott’s notice of motion in reference to holding the Council meetings ut 4.110 instead of S p.m., came up for discussion. In tho absence of Mr Elliott, Mr Nash moved tho resolution, slating he had found afternoon mootings always more successful, and ensured a larger attendance. Mr French said it was not so convenient for tho small man. The resolution was carried. DAYLIGHT SAYING, Tho proposal of tho Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce to introduce daylight saving into New Zealand has met with the hearty support of a large number of other Chambers, and many letters were received endorsing the proposal. Letters wore also received from the Acting-Premier, who stated that nothing could be done until Parliament met. It was decided to send a copy of the correspondence to Mr Sidcy, M.P., with a notification of their willingness to assist him in every way to have the measure put through Parliament. ROAD TO AUCKLAND. Mr J. M. Johnston reported on the deputation of local bodies organised by tho Kaitieki County Council in reference to completion of the through road to Auckland. It was suggested that the w'ork could bo carried out by prison labour, but the Minister of Justice, Mr T. M. Wilford, stated that it was a considerable loss to use the prisoners for road work whereas if employed at bootmaking, etc., a profit,was made. He was prepared to assist by allowing them to have prison labour if the Minister of Public Works would make up the deficiency. The road had been put through when the line was built, but the bridges were not built of sufficiently durable material, and in many places the roads were still good, but tho bridges had fallen into decay. The Minister of Public Works explained his inability to carry out the work now'. The rej>ort was received and Mr Johnston thanked for his’assistance in the matter.

ELECTRICITY FOR AGRICULTURE. It was proposed by Mr Crabb that Mr A. J. Sinclair, secretary of the Rongotea Dairy Company, be asked to read a paper on ‘ ‘ Electricity ag applied to Agriculture’ ’ at the next quarterly meeting. Mr Sinclair was an acknowledged authority on the subject, and he felt su.ro it would "be a. very instructive lecture. The resolution was carried. PILFERING. Mr French raised the question of pilfering. Cases of goods packed in Wellington were found, on arrival here, to have some of the invoiced goods missing. He quoted concrete, cases of losses which had come under his notice. Mr Collinson stated that his experience was that they seldom got a shipment that was not pillaged, but he had never found a case of pillaging with goods which came through the post. Mr Hodder said it was a difficult matter to deal with, and he could see no solution of the problem. RURAL MAIL SERVICE. Mr Johnston referred to the rural mail service. He stated that a very efficient service was run from Feilding to Halcombo, Kakariki and Stanway. He suggested that the service to Awahuri, Rongotea, Glen Oroua and Rangiotu and other rural districts required improvement. ‘‘ We have nothing like the distributing service they have in Feilding and other centres,” he added. It was decided that the secretary ascertain the present conditions of contract and the Chamber go into the matter before the mail contracts are again renewed. Eighty-four new members were elected, the secretary stating that much assistance had been given in this direction by Messrs H. C. Collinson, P. C. Freeth, and H. L. Young. tnsrxojsr of empire. The secretary of the British Empire Union (N.Z. Branch) wrote to the Chamber of Commerce forwarding a copy of the proposed national and commercial policy, and asking for the Chamber’s endorsement. The resolutions were very comprehensive, including such matters as preferential and reciprocal trading, restriction of imports from enemy countries, development of British banking interests, State grants for scientific research, education, patents and copyrights, etc. Mr J. M. Johnston: “We should endorse every line of it. It is the proper course to adopt.” Mr Crabb: “ There are too many clauses in it to consider in such a hurry. After consideration we will probably endorse* three-fourths of it, or perhaps the whole, but it requires consideration.” Mr Hodder: “We cannot thoroughly grasp its significance at the first readier. It is a very important matter, but it implies a complete re-organisation.” Mr Johnston: “There is no clause in it that any loyal ' Britisher should hesitate to endorse uulesg he is—he is ” Mr Nash: “What?” Mr Johnston: “Half German.” (Laughter.) Mr Johnston, explained that it was merclv a branch of the Imperial scheme and the circular had come from Havelock North, where it had been taken up by very influential men. It was decided to hold the matter over and app.y lor further copies of the resolutions in order to eiia.ole members to study the question thoroughly before voting on it at next meeting.