CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 2560, 18 December 1924, Page 8

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

ANNUAL MEETING LAST NIGHT

Mr 11. L. Young presided at Tuesday’s annual general meeting of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce, (hero being an attendance °> 25 members. , On the motion of the 1 resident seconded by Mr G. I. McGregor, the annual report was adopted, the leaifnro of tlie discussion thereon was an excellent speech by Mr J. M. Johnst on. Tho main points of the report wore. The financial position of tho Chamber was very satisfactory, there being a credit balance of £llO 7/7 with no liabilities. The membership was 107.

The present wool clip was generally showing particularly bright and well grown, with a approximate increase of 0 per cchst. 'to 7 per cent, in ,tho average weight of fleece as compared with last year. Tlie prices obtained, up to the present, had been exceptionally good and give promise of being maintained in the futureThis would greatly help the wool grower with his finances. The estimated increase should benefit 4ho farmers to tho extent of about 'six millions sterling. , , , , , As Palmerston North ranked high up after tho four centres, It was to bo hoped that the agitation for Palmerston North to be graded as a Chief Post Office would not be lost sight of and that every opportunity would be taken to achieve this ciiu. The President represented Eic Chamber at tho New ZeaUiml annual conference of Chambers of Commerce at Wanganui, where, a number of valuable remits were put through. Tim Postmaster,, Stationmaster and Public Trustee still took a. great interest in tlie work of the Chamber mid were invaluable for tho first-hand information they gave Uio Council from time to time. « It was felt that the commercial community of Palmerston North did not take enough Interest ia the work of the Chamber of Commerce, and it was to be hoped that the coining year would see more representative'? of business attending tlie meetings, because the Chamber of Commerce in every town was expected to take an active interest ia the business welfare of Its centre. Election of Officers.

OflicC-bearcrs wore elected as follows:- —President: Mr H. L. Young (re-elected); vice-president: Mr H. K. Paccy; hon. treasurer; Dir J. A. Nash, M.P. (re-elected). The following wore elected to complete the council: —Messrs N. Blackmore, L. 11. Colllnson, K. Davidson. F. S. Goldingham, W. C. Harrington. T. It. Dodder, E. K. Mandcr, G. I. McGregor, R. A. Noedl, M. H. Oram, H k. Paccy. E. Grant Sim, J. H. Stevens. J. P. Stubbs, J. R. Wood. Messrs H. L. Young, J. A. Nash,, M.P., M. Johnston, M. A. Eliott, J. Carter and T. E. French wore the continuing councillors, together with the three heads of Government departments, Messrs A. S. Fa ire (Public Trust), J. j. O’Shea (Railways), R. Martin (Postmaster). General, Letters were received from the Wellington Chamber of Commerce (relative to (he Dunedin exhibition) and from the British Imperial Council of Commerce on the subject of Empire Migration. It was decided to write to the Minister i'n charge of the Inspection of Machinery Department for the appointment .of a competent, assistant to tile inspecting engineer of the district. Much discussion followed on a no-tice-of-motion being put forward to arrange for monthly meeting of the whole Chamber, instead of the Council meeting monthly and the Chamber quarterly. Interest having boon created in the matter the proposer withdrew his motion, the matter to bo discussed at a subsequent meeting of the Chamber if attendances at future Council meetings were not satisfactory. The President congratulated the secretary upon acquiring such a fine suite of rooms in Messrs Colllnson and Cu'nninghame’s new buildings, that firm also being eulogised from the chair for its progressiveness and practical contribution to the advancement of the town. On Mr J. M. Johnston’s recommendation, it -was decided to request the 'new council to make representations in the proper quarter for charging of the name of the town from Palmerston North to Manh-watu.