CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 17 June 1924, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MONTHLY MEETING

Tho Is' plson Chamber of Commerce held its monthly meeting at the Institute last evening. Present: Messrs .1 . A. Mitchell (President) in the chair, H. it. Duncan, A. Gould, A. A. Lucas, J. Robinson, G. Macmahon, X’. I. Ledger, P. C. Hurst, J. AY*. Wvllie, T. A. H. Field, F. G. Gibbs, * anti the secretary (Mr E. It. N.eaio). Apologies wore received from Messrs il. Af.more, M.P., and C. It. Fell.

The matter of the Hope Saddle deviation tvas deferred pending Mr Mensbes’ detailed report. Correspondence was dealt with lioin the following:—

Secretary Associated Chambers of Commerce, re protest against increased levy, and stating that il. would be placed before the executive.

Tne secretary said the Nelson .Chamber's levy had increased from £5 to £l4. The leyv had been paid. R. Sinclair, re treatment received a. the hands of “a person named Creeve," who he understood was at present in charge of the Labor Department, Nelson. The matter was in connection with 10 o’clock closing last Christmas Eve.—Members considered it was a question for the Retailers’ Association.

Mr C. R. Foil, suggesting that an agitation be renewed for decent telephone communication with Murchison, also R cotton. and Westport,.and that any technical difficulties raised by the Telegraph Department might be overcome with the assistance of Messrs Aimorc and Hudson, M’s.P. Mr H. It. Hounsoll, Deputy District Engineer, P. and T. Department, advising that fresh proposals were under consideration regarding telephone communication between Nelson and Murchison, and when a decision was arrived at the Chamber would be advised.

Mr Hurst explained what had already been done. He-moved that the Chamber repeat its request to the Department for a daily telephone service to Murchison, Westport, and Reef ton, and that the Duller Progress'. League and Messrs Hudson, Atmorc, and Hon. Snodgrass lie asked to assist. Mr Lodger seconded and it was carried.

Wanganui Chamber of Commerce re charges made by tho various banks for signing letters of indemnity in connection with the importation of oversea shipments when the goods arrive prior to receipt, of documents. The charge, of 10s 6d was considered excessive and that a fair charge would be 2s 6d, as the banks incurred no additional liability.—The protest was supported (Messrs Duncan and Hurst).

Wellington Chamber of Commerce, re primage duty of I per cent, imposed in 1915 as a war measure, and suggesting that it should bo retained for the present, and the sum collected utilised .for publicity purposes in advertising New Zealand abroad. The 3>rimage duty for tho past few years had been—l9l9, £281,292: 1920, £573,792; 1921, £372,684; 1922, £307,442; and 1923, £410,685. Resolved (Messrs Duncan and Macmahon) : That the Nelson Chamber favour spending more in advertising New Zealand abroad, but considers the whole sum too. much, and propose that £IOO,OOO be allocated out of the primage duty. Canterbury Progress League, asking for Chamber’s approval of committee’s visit to the district- for the purpose of railway investigation. Resolved, oh the motoin of Mr Gould that if the'deputation visit- Nelson the Chamber will co-operate with the Nelson Progress League in proivding necessary information.

It was r,solved that a copy of the. letter be sent to the Murchison Progress League, and that the secretary v.rite to the Nelson Progress League offering the Chamber’s co-operation. Mr Gould gave an account of the deputation that had made representations to the Anchor Company in relVrence to the ferry service between Nelson and Wellington. The manager (Mr W. Rogers) had given the deputation a. sympathetic reception. The. company was fully alive to the need for improvement. There, was nothing yet for publication, but, said Mr Gould, the prospects wore good. Mr Hurst proposed a vote of thanks to the deputation, Mr Lucas seconded, find it was caried. The President mentioned,the valuable service rendered by Mr Lowry and the railway staff in keeping the service open during the recent, strike.

A vote of thanks was passed (President and Mr Macmahon). Mr Gibbs moved that a voto of cons’atulation be accorded to Captain Huggins, the lio-n-coni nr,id City Cadets, on their achievement, in winning the Campbell Statuette for the second year in succession. Seconded bv Mill urst and carried. The secretary said that- the Chamber had not overlooked the Auckland Winter Show, as suggested in a recent telegram, but. had considered it best to concentrate on the Wellington Winter Show, and the Progress League had arrangements in band. Marlborough was being represented at the Auckland Show.

Resolved (President and Mr Hurst), that the Farmers’ Union be written to in reference to the importance of obtaining a dairy instructor for the district. ... :

In a discussion on the matter, it vas shown that there was scope for three instructors in the pi’oyipce. It was rosolved (Messrs Hurst and Macmahon) that the Chief Postmaster, Telegraph Engineer, P.W. Engineer, and Railways Manager he elected honorary members. This concluded the business of the meeting.