CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3959, 28 January 1930, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the committc* of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce was held on January 20, and was attended by Alessrs A. H. Allen (ehairman), J. G. Dykes, P. O. Smellie, J. R. Fairbairn, II L. Smith. 11. Mitchell, S. P. Cameron. A. C. Cameron. R. Duncan. H. J. Guthrie, N. Falconer, and James Hogg. GENERAL. It was mentioned in connection with the matter of vocational guidance that the need for this was recognised by the committee, and the work should be taken up by the Y.M.C.A.. What was required was that the chamber should elect someone to represent it.—The chairman moved that Mr J. R. Fairbairn be appointed to represent the chamber, and this was agreed to.

The chairman mentioned in connection with procuring more suitable premises that final arrangements had not yet been made but at next meeting probably a final announeenient would be made. The following new members were elected:—The Otago Dairy Producers anil Cool Storage Company. William Couston, Ltd. and W. E. Gaorge. A resident of Martinez, California, wrote stating that he was desirous of coming to live in Dunedin, and asking for particulars regarding chances of employment. etc. —The information had been supplied. The secretary of the National Foreign Trade Council of the United States, through the American Trade Commissioner (Mr Julian B. Foster) wrote inviting any members of the chamber who might be in the States in May, 1930, to attend the National Foreign Trade Convention in Los Angeles.—A suitable reply had been sent.

The Birmingham Chamber of Commerce wrote notifying that Air Lawrence C. Tipper, an old member of the Birmingham Chamber, would shortly be visiting Dunedin. A reply had been sent that the Dunedin Chamber would be pleased to assist Air Tipper in every way posisble. The Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire advised that the twelfth congress of the chamber would be held in London in Alay, 1930, and an invitation to a' delegate, or delegates, to be present was extended to the Dunedin Chamber.—lnvitation to be acknowledged with thanks, it being mentioned that Air P. R. Sargood and Mr Brinsley might be in England at the tune, and would suitably’ represent the chamber.

Air P. Neilson, secretary of the Unemployment Relief Committee, wrote that a meeting would be held in the Trades Hall on the evening of the 22nd instant, for the purpose of demonstrating that something must be done with regard to unemployment. There wer_ 400 unemployed m Dunedin.—lt was decided that the chamber be represented at the meeting. FIRE INQUIRIES. The secretary of the Associated Chambers of Commerce (Air F. H. Bass) forwarded a letter received from the Wellington Chamber on the subject of fire waste, and asked the chamber’s opinion thereon. The letter from Wellington dealt with compulsory colonial inquiries into fires, and stated that as far as the main centres of the Dominion were concerned there were from 400 to 600 fires annually, and if compulsory coronial inquests were insisted upon in relation to all fires it would mean that a coroner would have to sit day in and day out. and officers of fire brigades, insurance companies, and other witnesses be called to attend There were doubts amongst those who should be familiar with the subject as to whether the holding of compulsory inquests into hll fires would be a practical method of curbing national fire waste, though, of course, in some cases useful information would result. At present fire boards had a discretionary power to demand a coronial inquest if they thought circumstances warranted inquiry. The mattter was referred to the executive with instructions to confer with the Underwriters’ Association and the Fire Board to draft a suitable reply. OVERSEA SHIPPING. The secretary’ reported that he had written to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce asking if it would co-operate with the Dunedin Chamber in an endeavour to have the oversea shipping service to the South Island improved.—A reply had been received stating that the matter had been referred to the council for consideration. The Canterbury Chamber of Commerce wrote agreeing to co-operate, and suggested that a conference of the chambers concerned, the Aleat Board, and the slipping companies should be held.

The chairman said that several bodies had been asked to join in the effort and' favourable responses had been received from several chambers and the Dairy Producers’ Board. The other bodies had not shown the interest that was expected anti had been written to asking for a definite reply. That had been received, but the point had been evaded. Air A. C. Cameron said that a number of chambers of commerce seemed to think there was a possibility of success, and others did not seem to think there was any chance. He thought that if a vigorous effort was made they might be successful. lie moved that they proceed strongly in the matter. lliis was seconded by Air Duncan and carried. TOUR OF OTAGO. The chairman referred to the tour of Otago it was intended members of the chamber would make, and said that it looked as if there might be a party of 30. Twenty-six names had come in from those who had definitely stated their intention to go, and he supposed that they might now go right ahead.