CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 1979, 22 November 1921, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce was held last night, Mr. H. L. Young presiding.over a very fair attendance of members. In moving the adoption of tho report and balance-sheet (already published), the President referred to several of the many problems dealt with by the Chamber during the year, and pointed out that, in tho coming year, they would have to give very careful consideration to questions such as taxation and loss of revenue from the primary industries, and the loss of revenue to the country in general. It behoved everyone to ventilate opinions on various subjects of interest to the community, and to bring up any matters that would be advantageous to tho people of this country as a whole. He urged members to stick together and fight for the progress of the town, and thereby justify their existence as a Chamber of Commerce. One of the main subjects needing attention was undoubtedly that of finance. Mr. Young mentioned that the membership of the Chamber was increasing, the only regrettable thing being that all the work seemed to fall on the shoulders of a small number. He trusted a greater interest would be taken by all in order that the commercial welfare of the town should be promoted. . The report and balance-sheet were adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted— President, Mr. H. L. Young (re-elec-ted) ; vice-president, Mr. J. H. Stevens (re-elected); hon. treasurer, Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P.; council, Messrs.. R. S. Abraham, J. Aitchison, H. Burrows, E. H. de J. Clere, L. 11. Collin-, son, E. H. Crabb, M. A. Eliott, D. H. Fastier, T. E. French, W. C. Harrington, T. R. Hodder, J. M. Johnston, J. A. Nash, M. H. Oram, G. A. Preece, W. W. Russell, J. H. Stevens, A. Sei-' fert, E. G. Sim, and H. L. Young. • New members were elected as follows—Messrs. E. G. Sim, W. C. Harrington, It. Rutter, and J. C. Hill. TAXATION. The Taxpayers' Federation forwarded a circular dealing with the remarks made at Auckland some time; ago by Sir Francis Bell, the then act-ing-Premier, concerning the income tax on companies. He had said tho taxation on companies should be reduced. The Prime Minister had himself made a statement to the same, effect, and no doubt both Mr. Massey and Sir Francis Bell realised the great injustice that Was being done to com-' panles under the present system of taxation. Sir Francis Bell, however, appeared to be under a misapprehension when he said (1) that it was impossible, in his opinion, to levy . the Income tax upon the individual share-, holders instead of upon the com'. panies; (2) that it was not true in a general way to say that the small investor received a less dividend as a result of income tax being levied on companies; and (3) that the agitation for a change on the incidence was largely by managers of companies, who wanted to show larger annual net returns. The Executive was agreed, that the inaccuracy of such Btate-. mentß could not be too frequently pointed out. The co-operation of the Chamber was solicited in promoting the objects of the New Zealand Taxpayers' Federation. The President pointed out that this very important matter was at present under consideration by tho Council, and would, with other things, be brought up for discussion at a "financial evening," to.be held shortly.

ECONOMY COMMITTEE. A circular was read from the Welfare League urging Bupport 6f a proposal that an Economy Committee, consisting of several non-political men, should be set up to investigate the workings of the various Government Departments, with a view to bringing and suggesting more economical and efficient working. Mr. R. S. Abraham mentioned that' matters in this direction were more advanced than was generally known. The Government, it was understood, had agreed to set up a Committee to deal with at least economy and taxa-. tion questions. He believed nothing but good could result from a com-, mittee comprised of men who would be regardless of politics. He moved that the League be supported in thei matter. Mr. J. M. Johnston seconded. Three) thorough business men and three accountants, he thought, would make an excellent committee. The wholei workings of the Government Depart-' ments should be investigated. Until, such a thing was done there would be little hope of bringing about economical services, and of having thei systems re-organised. It would be one of the best things the country had' , experienced. After further discussion, in the course of which several members quo.' ted instances of departmental Waste; and delays, Mr. Abraham's was carried.