COMMERCIAL INTERESTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21845, 6 July 1934, Page 15

COMMERCIAL INTERESTS

SOUTH AUCKLAND DISTRICT AN ASSOCIATION FORMED [from our own correspondent] MATAMATA. Thursday A meeting was held in Matamata last night, at which were delegates from the To Kuiti. Morrinsville, Putaruru, Paerca and Matamata Chambers of Commerce. It was unanimously decided to form a South Auckland Association of Country Chambers of Commerce. Mr. H. 10. Sc'hofield (Matamata) was elected the first president, and it was decided to meet at least three times in each year, the next meeting to' be at To Awamutu.

A lengthy agenda paper was gone through, "aiid some of the-major resolutions approved were as follows: On the motion of the Paeroa chamber, it was decided to request the Government to remove taxation anomalies in the Unemployment Act. It was decided on a motion submitted by the To Kuiti chamber to enter a strong protest against the present method of selling electric power, in that it penalised country settlers and encouraged the growth of critics. Tfi was held that uniform rates should apply to all power boards. The Te Kuiti chamber further protested against the present position in regard to rates on Crown lands, Mr. S."Craig pointing out that the Waitomo County had lost £20,000 on this account, anil that of £42/7 struck for the vear 1932-33 only £32 had been collected in rates. It was decided to urge that the Crown and all other Government lending institutions should bo made subject to the provisions of the Ilating Act. A further motion urged the Government to consolidate native interests in land in accordance with a promiso given by Sir Apirana Ngata.