CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6915, 22 May 1929, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

CABLES, ROADS, WOOL, LAW AND EDUCATION.

The Council of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce met yesterday afternoon, when there were present Messrs M. H. Oram (president), M. A. Eliott, J. H. Stevens, A. P. Stuart, K. II Fuller, .T. E. French and A. f. Bendall. Cable Restriction. The Postmaster-General (Hon J. B. Donald) replied to the Chamber’s protest concerning the use of figures in cablegrams. He stated that the regulation restricting the use of numbers, iiguros and commercial marks, etc., in the cheap rate cable messages to onethird of the number of changcv’-U' words in the text, was laid down b» .»••• International Telegraph convention and New Zealand was obliged to comply. However, the department was in favour of the regulations being interpreted as liberally as possible. To Rotorua in a Day.

The Tailiape Chamber wrote asking foi support of a movement to get the Government to spend more money on the Waiuru-Tokaanu road. Mr. Eliott pointed out that the road, if put in a satisfactory condition, would bring Rotorua within one day’s motoring of Palmerston North. The Chamber decided to write the Public Works department, supporting the Tailiape Chamber’s movement. The Palmerston North Drapers’ and Clothiers’ association tendered congratulations on the outcome of the chamber’s persistent efforts to secure a customs officer for Palmerston North. Synthetic Wool.

Mr. R. M. McKniglit wrote asking for information about synthetic wool, which was supposed to be taking the place of natural wool. The secretary of the Wellington Chamber advised that those in the trade seem to doubt whether a synthetic wool was possible and that he had been unable to trace whence the report about tko invention of synthetic wool originated, or whether it was true that such, a method had been invented.

Landlord and Tenant. The Associated Chambers’ secretary advised that the Federated Drapers, Clothiers and Boot Retailers wanted support in an endeavour to -secure legislation in New Zealand similar to that in operation in England between landlords and tenants. Briefly, the British Act makes provision for arbitration in fixing the value of premises where leases fall in, for compensation to tenants for improvements and for good will. Provision is also made for granting reversionary leases after giving due notice- and for safeguarding the landlord’s right to reimbursement of increased. rates, taxes and insurance premiums. The practice had long been in existence of demanding extra rent for’premises which the tenant had himself' improved •or in -which he had created goodwill- and the Act is designed ,'to remove such an injustice. The . Chairman thought the Chamber shopld. secure more information and it wae decided to leave the matter over until next meeting so that members could give the subject further thought.