CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14590, 27 April 1918, Page 7

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The Gisborne 'Chamber of Commerce met yesterday afternoon. Mr Toneyelift'e presided, and • there were also present: Messrs W. A; O'Meara, C. A. Fenwick, W. O. liong, A. Bourgeois, T. Oorson, J. A. Albrecht, E. T. Doddrell, M.' L. Foster, J. Machell, and 1 Johns.

A circular letter was received from Mr-H. Hill, chairman' of the Waikaremoaiia Hydro-Electric League, who asked fpr a resolution to be passed supporting the hydro-electric scheme.--Received, and it was decided to frame the resolution requested. — iMr Long said he hoped and believed the Association was m force ami would see the scheme completed. The Assistant-Secretary of the G-P.O. Wellington, wrote stating that additional accommodation m the money order and savings bank office m Gisborne was being provided. It was intended when the war was over to consider the question of making extensive alterations an<l additions to the Post Office building, including provision for the money ordei office and savings bank.— Received. MrE. H. Hiley, General Manager of N.Z. Railways, wrote that it was not considered the business of the Matawai station' warranted the appointment of a portev;to be placed m charge. — ■ Received.

A letter was received from. the General Manager of the "Union S.S. Co., Dunedin, m. answer to the representation anade by the Chamber urging the company to provide a small suitable steairier to work the roadstead steamers at all tides. The company had taken expert advice, and had come to tho conclusion that it could not • see its way clear to •build such a. vessel. A vessel of 3ft. 6in. draught would not be suitable for bad 'weather conditions, as she would require to be given so much beam that she would be difficult to handle m a seaway, and m entering and leaving the river. — Received.

A letter from the Town Clerk stated that when the Borough Council discussed the matter of tramways, consideration would be given to the Chamber's suggestion regarding tbe extension of tramways.— -Received. The Auckland Chamber of Commerce forwarded a. copy of <a letter to the Prime Minister. The letter asked for ■consideration of a resolution, "That In vie>' of the approaching departure of the 1 Prime Minister to attend tho' Imperial Conference m Great Britain, and ilie ■ readjustment of .. portfolios which, will resultj m the opinion of this Chamber, .a Minister should be appointed whose portfolio should be that of Commerce, preferably one with a commercial training." — Mr "Long suggested that a resolution should be passed m this direc r tion, as he considered l it was a matter of -vital importance, and would also eerve to do away with a lot of unrest. ,'lf ,it only had tho effect of steadying dowji some of the ridiculous statements that one heard m this town it iwould serve a. good purpose. — Mr Maohell seconded the motion, which was carried.

A further , letter from the Auckland Chamber solicited the co-operation of the local Chamber m inducing the Government to move in 1 th© direction of regulating the import of non-essential goods. Special mention (was made of the recent arrival at Auckland of between 900 and 1000 cars, while : importers of essential goods 'were unable to secure space on the same steamer. In the ease of motor cars a suggestion was put forward that shipment should be permitted 'only under license, no license to h& issued for cars other than those required for 'utility work. It seemed ridiculous U) permit the unrestricted importation of cars when sufficient spirit could mot be obtained for those m present use. — Received.

Tho Vice-Consul for Franco, Auckland, forwarded a notice giving information to those desirous of soiling 1 French good's m N«w Zealand now and after the war. -^■Received.