NEEDS OF THE PROVINCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15236, 25 February 1913, Page 5

NEEDS OF THE PROVINCE.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THE PAST YEAR'S WORK.

The annual meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce is to be held on Thursday next,

The annual report, which is to be submitted to the meeting, shows that the membership now stands at 336. ; The finances of the chamber are in a healthy condition, and it now owns its valuable premises in Swanson Street entirely free of encumbrance.

Referring to the work of the past year, the report makes mention of the agitation to improve the lighting on the Northern coast, more especially a light and fog;'ignal on the "Three Kings," but the then Minister for Marine did not recognise the urgent necessity for this light, and declined to do anything. The agitation, however, had since been renewed, -wndtho present Minister had definitely promised that a light in some form would be provided at this dangerous spot. Th.3 council, having been approached with a request to address the Government in support of the Taupo Totara Timber ' Company's scheme for the extension of its line to Taupo, had forwarded a resolution to the Parliamentary Committee cot up to consider the question, that, from a purely commercial point of view, the proposals of the Taupo Timber Company appeared to bo fair and reasonable, and that in view of the probable limitation of Public Works expenditure during the next year or two, the council was of opinion that it was in the interests' of the country that one or other of the company's alternative pro-; posals should be accepted. j

The report goes on to speak of the steps taken by tho chamber with reference to bettering the classification of wool, the establishment of an agricultural college in the Auckland province, and the improvement in tho regulations governing hemp contracts. The report adds that, in connection with tho Exhibition proposal, the matter had been taken up enthusiastically all over the Dominion, and everything pointed to the Exhibition being a, great success. j

Mr. George Elliot is not seeking reelection for the presidency of the chamber, and the only nomination is that of Mr. S. J. Nathan. The only nomination for the vice-presidency is that of Mr. Graves Aickin. The annual luncheon of the chamber takes place at 1 p.m. on) Thursday;,