CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25135, 28 January 1943, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE The executive of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce met yesterday, when consideration was given to a request by the local Rehabilitation Committee that the chamber should set up a subcommittee to assist it in its deliberations. In the first instance, the chamber was asked to inquire into and submit details and recommendations of afforestation and irrigation schemes. The executive expressed the strong desire of the chamber to co-operate and assist in every way, and the Rehabilitation Sub-committee of the chamber, under the chairmanship of Mr J. S. Skinner, was asked to prepare reports on afforestation and irrigation as requested. The reply of the Prime Minister, stating that compulsory war damage insurance would continue, was received, and it was decided to write pointing out that in view of the risk being much reduced, the chamber considered that £1,500,000 was a siMcient reserve. But if the Government did not agree, it should state what sum it considered was an adequate reserve. Arrangements were completed for a luncheon meeting of members in the Somerset Lounge on February 1, when an address would be given by the Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall. Replies to the protest made by the chamber regarding the withdrawal of all building permits were received from the Prime Minister and the building controller as follows: —“ Building labour is required urgently in Wellington for defence and earthquake reinstatement construction. This necessitates drawing men from other districts, and a corresponding curtailment in even relatively essential domestic work. 1 fully appreciate the nature of the re-, percussions in your district, but have given the district building controllers authority to reissue permits as and when circumstances permit.”—Concern was expressed by members at the proposed disruption of the building and supply trade in Dunedin, and it was decided, to make inquiries to see if some of the work such as prefabrication could not be done here.

The question of the proposed sale of the Caledonian Ground was brought up, and members expressed the hope that this centrally-situated ground would not be lost to future generations as a sports ground.