BUSINESS MEN CONFER

Northern Advocate, 27 June 1935, Page 8

BUSINESS MEN CONFER

NORTHERN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE MEETING AT DARGAVILLE. SURVEY OF PAST YEAR’S WORK. The second annual conference of the North Auckland Associated Chambers of Commerce opened at Dargaville today, Mi- H. F. Guy, Kaikohe, presiding. There are delegates from Kaikohe, Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Whangarci, and Dargaville. “Chambers of Commerce are in the unique position of being go-betweens,” said Mr C. M. Taylor, president of the Dargaville chamber, in opening the business. Probably tradespeople would resent farmers telling them how to dp their business and vice-versa. But Chambers of Commerce were in the fortunate position of having representatives of all interests. They could -thus co-operate with other bodies. The Mayor of Dargaville, Mr F. A. Jones, also extended a welcome. *T know Of no district in the Dominion capable of greater development than the North,” he said. “Your deliberations here today will assist in that heritage of progress. , Men who give their time and enterprise in working for the good of the community are deserving of public thanks and appreciation.” ■ Northland Heritage. “We feel we have a distinct part in the welfare of the North Auckland peninsula,” said Mr Guy. “North Auckland is almost as separate an entity as the North' Island is from the South, and, as one who was resident for many years outside the district, I can Say definitely that its potentialities and advantages are not well known. Farming is an intensive and specialist issue today and we are glad to have so many agriculturalists who are members of our chambeir. “Without the co-ordination of the farmers and business people, the North will never receive the recognition and win the advancement it deserves.” ■ ( Leaders of the delegations also spoke briefly. Annual Review.' . In the annual review, it was shown that the most important matters dealt with by the executive during the year were those of main highways and trunk air services. The Main Highways Board made a tour of inspection arid a delegation from the executive m£t the board at Kaikohe to urge upon them the necessity of completing No. 1 main highway as early as possible. -The Auckland Chamber of Commerce took up very strongly the question of extending the proposed air trunk service from Palmerston North to Auckland, and the executive gave the Auckland chamber its wholehearted support' and was kept well informed of the steps taken in the matter.

The financial statement showed that

all last year’s subscriptions except two /had been collected and that there was a cash balance of £2 16/4, Question of Title.

The Associated Chambers of Comjmerce of New Zealand, in a letter, found cause for complaint in the use 'rof the word “of New Zealand’ ’in the title of the North Auckland bddy and also in the fact that only two northern , chambers were affiliated with the organisation.

On a vote it was decided that no action be taken. It was proposed that the next conference be held at Kaitaia. The associated chambers, it was pointed out, had not previously met in the Far North.

„ .The following officers were elected: President, Mr C. N. TaylOr (Darga-

ville); vice-president, Mr J. Thornton (Kaitaia); secretary, Mr D, S. Angus (Dargaville); auditor, Mr A. D. Thomson (Dargaville). During the year, it was reported, some difficulty was experienced in securing attendances •at executive meetings and the advisability of a conference considering whether the individual chambers should appoint as their representative members- of the chamber in the town where the execu-

> tive is to meet for the year was discussed. It was decided, however, that ; the body had been functioning satis- ■ factorily and full powers were left in • the hands of the executive for the , time being, )