NELSON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, 8 February 1909, Page 2

NELSON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF MEMBERS. The annual general meeting of members of the Nelson Chamber cf Commerce was held at the Chamber'/. Booms, in Hnidy-sti-o«t, on Saturday ovemii". There wan a Targe attendance of membeis, with Mr A. H. Bisley, President, iu the chair. Mi'nutv* 1 w«-rf. read -___<_. oonfirme-l. ; and Messrs H. F, West and F. Hurley wore elected members. . The balance-sheet was presented* This showed a credit balance cf £27, including a balance of £37 brought forward. Members' subscriptions amounted to £85, and £80 has yet to come in under this heading. The President stated that the total assets were worth £130, which he considered very satisfactory. The balance-sheet was* adopted on tlie motion of Messrs Lock and Duncan. .Mr H. 1!. Duncan, who had been vice-President for the past two years, was nn.-inimously elected Piesident for the ensuing y^ar Mr T. H. Field was unanimously elected Vice-President. After a ballot the following were elected to tile Council of the Chamber: Messrs A. H. Bisley, J, H. Cock, F. W. Hamilton, C. King, A. A. Lucas, H. Baigent, and D- Edwards. Messrs F. Ii Ledger, E. E. Grove, W. J. Moffatt, P. Bond, T. A. Field, W. L. Kerr, F. W. Fairey, W. A. Roughton, and F. G. Gibbs (with power to add to their number) Were elected the Raihvay and Land Traffic Committee. Messrs W. W. Snodgrass, L. Frank, E. Hooper, W. Rog-is, T. Pettit, J. C. Mercer, and T. Neale (with power to add to their number), were elected the Shipping and Producfe Commffatee. Mr W. Rout, junr., was re-elected auditor. Mr Baigent moved that a minute be recorded appreciating the services rendered to the Chamber by Mr A. H. Jjisley during his term as President. Mr Bisley had done excellent work, and all recognised h:_s earnest efforts for the good ot tiie Chamber. (Applause.) Tiis motion was seconded by Mr Duncan, who said that members scarcely knew what work had been clone by Mr Bisley. The number of members Mr Bisley had introduced showed that he had the interests of the Chamber at heart. In sui-cc-ding Mr Bisley as President. Mr Duncan felt that he would be a comparative failure; but if he could only <\< half ?■< well as Mr Bisley had done he would consider that he had served the Chamber well. Mr Bisley had brought forward a number of matters for the benefit of the district. (Applause.) Mr F. W. Fairey referred to the large number of members proposed byMr Bisley. Se also said that previously the Chamber was regarded as a select body. Mr Bislev deserved the thanks of" the whole district for his earnest- work and untiring efforts. The motion vas carried with applause. Mr Bislev returned thanks. He was very pleased to know that he had proved such a success as was said. The Nelson Chamber wa one of the most liberal in the Dominion, and its rami-fr-ations extended tn different parl.s of the district. In the .atier respect it was quite different from other Chambers. On Mr Hampson's motion, a vote oi thanks was passed to Mr J. Hornsbj for copies of the "Textile Mercury." Before leaving the chair. Mr Bislethanked the Council for the assist anct given to him during the past year They had held 12 or 13 meetings, aiu he could nol have wished to worl with a better lot of men. The Railwaj and Land Traffic Committee had don- [ good work, Messrs V. I. Ledger and P ' Bond being specially mentioned. Hi also thanked the heads of various Go vernment departments — Messrs Flana ag.i (Commissioner of Crown Lands) Edwards (Railway Manager), and Sem (Chief Postmaster) — who had readil; supplied the Chamber with informatioi when asked. It was a pleasure t< have officers who were free from red tape. He also desired to thank tin Corresponding Committee.-. While sonii had not been so active as they wouh 'nave liked, they had do.ie a lot ti assist tha Chamber. He hoped the nev President and thc incoming Counci would pay great attention to t!n-s< t'oiiuiiitLci. One tliiiij to he sel tier. ua-_ Ihe mode of ina-i-igcnu-nt of (hrsbraiivlk-. He thought they ;,hculc be treated in a liberal way, and .-ng jested that they should be allowed 7f per cent, of their own receipts to de 'fray their expenses. The remaining 2! per cent would weil pay the Chamber. Mr Bisley, in conclusion, tha.iked thf Nelson paper? for their fuii reports oi the Chamber's proceedings. (Ap plause. ) Mr Duncan, in taking the chair, was greeted with applause. He thank cd members for electing him President if h= was able to do half as much as Mr Bisley had do.ie he would be satis fiad. He looked for the co^operatior of the Council, and would do his besl in the interests of the Chamber. (Ap plans 3 .) This concluded the business. ANNUAL SUPPER. The formal business of the Cliambei having been disposed of, members adjourned to the Ccmmerci_il Hotel ioi supper, between 40 a.n- 50 sitting down to an excellent lepasr provided by Mi H. Saunders. The chair, by special request, was taken by Mr A. H. B)sley. Mr R. McKenzie, "Minister for Works (.nd Mines, who is a member of the Chamber, was present by special l.ivitation. The President remarked that the members of tie Cliambei desirrl tr take an opportunity of congratulating Mr McKenzie on his appointin-nt us o Minister. He read apologies for absence from Sir Joseph Ward an ) Mi C. Y. Fell. The toast of -The King'' ha. inf been honoured. Mr J. H. Cock lose and proposer 'The Hon. R. McKenzie." He salt that it was a part : -.ularl.\ pleasing dutio congratulate Mr McKenzie and t( propose the hcaith of on.-- of their owl members. jt was appaicnt that Ml MfcKeiizie had earned the good-will and respect of the whole district. (Ap plause.) Mr McKenzie h.-.d a grasj of the departments under his contro which would enable him to fill thi portfolios with advantage to the wholi Dominion. Ne'son liked to provide Ministers, and in the past had sent to Parliament a number of very abl< Ministers. He did not say this ai .-._ mere phrase of goodwill. " Mr Mc Kenzie, he was sure, had the gooc will of the whole of th.'s district al heart, and he hoped he would be abk for many years to serve it. It wapaiticularly pleasing that Mr McKenz." t was able to serve the district just when it was emerging from a neglectel and tardy state. Progress v.- is guino on -there was more rapid raihvay de" v-jlopment ; the era of frozen sheep was at hfjid ; the fruit industry was expanding; and shipping was going ihead. Mr Cock was sure merhbers would join with him in wishing Mr McKenzie success, long life and health; and he was also sure that Mr McKenzie would appreciate their addition to the expressions of good will that had been previously offered. (Applause.) Mr H. R. Duncan said that Mr McKenzie s appointment had been gratifying to Nelson as well as to the electorate he represented. The position of Minister of Mines was one requiring gireat tact^-perhaps more tact than any other portfolio demanded, i n view of the labour troubles. He hoped Mr McKenzie would endeavour to steer a rourse that would recognise the lights of both capitai and labour. There was not one present who did not feel great gratification and pleasure at Mr McKenzie's elevation to the Ministry (Applause.) '' Mr McKenzie, ou rising to respond, met. with a very war.n, cordial re-' tell Km. He expressed hiq \thanks for his reception, and for the invitation to partake of their hospitality. He had now very responsible duties and he hoped that when the time came for him to leave his office he would still have the confidence of the people of New Zealand. Ho had represented the Nelson province for many years,

but he now had iflore supporters than ever before, Mr McKenzie went on to say that the Government's old policy would be continued — a policy of progress and development of the resources of this young country. He would see th.-.t Nelson's interests were not overlooked — that sho was nut neglected in any way. (Applause.) As lone, aa he wa- a member of th.. Cabinet neither Ne'son :ior tlio West Coast would "go under ' — without good reason, any way. (Laughter.) Thore had been no more progress on the railway -han he had to sec. About 160 or 180 men were employed, but he would keep the number to about 200 till the line connected with the Buller road. Later it would hav_ to be continued to Murchison. Tiie Midland was the most important line now under consideration, and when this and the North Auckland lines wore out of hand branch lines would receive attention. The Minister spoke of the mining industry, and urged the necessity for the development of the mineral resources of the Dominion. The importance of the agricultural aiid pastoral industry was emphasised, and declared to je the mainstay ol New Zealand The Go- , vcrnnicnt did not intend to intioduce any class legislation, : t bdng -ecog- ' nised that capital was as necessary .-is labour in the devc'-ipnent of the ' country. They intended to govern the country for the benefit of the ' community as a whole. (Applause.) Mr ' McKcnzi. recognised that the Neison Cliambei of Commsve was cluing a J great deal of go d in the district, and he wns glad io hear that the membership was increasing rapidly, and ihat the branches througTiout tlie district ' were doing good woik. Thi<v hearty rl'e-.rs were given for , Mr McKenzie and the gathering iiroke up at 10 o'clock with a vote of thanks to the Chairman. 1