CONFIDENCE IN FUTURE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16865, 31 January 1929, Page 7

CONFIDENCE IN FUTURE

GISBORNE’S PROSPECTS IS OPTIMISM TOO GREAT? ( Confidence (if prosperous times ahead of the town and district generally was expressed at the 19th annual meeting of the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon, but at the same time a note of caution was sounded by one of the members, who urged that although there were undoubtedly better times ahead, optimism should not he carried too far. for if this were done efforts might be relaxed to the detriment of the community generally. The annual report, already published, ■was taken as read, the president, 'Mr. F Tolertorj, then taking the opportunity to remark briefly on the progress of the past year, and the promise the year ahead of them held. The chamber was in a better financial position than it was a year ago, remarked the president, who, referring to conditions generally, stated that the prophesy made a year ago bv the then retiring president, Mr. H. F. Forster, who foresaw a year of prosperity, had been fully borne out. The current year also appeared likely to he a prosperous one. In the chamber’s agitation in inilway matters, he went on, there appeared to be an impression that the chamber had endeavored to block the railway, but this was not so. The chamber had merely claimed the fulfilment of a promise to effect a survey before deciding on the ultimate route. There had been a great improvement in the roads and it was hoped to obtain soon some finality in the matter of the harbor. In respect of postal matters, Mr. Tolerton took the opportunity of thanking the chief postmaster, Mr. W. Fisher, for the great help he had given the chamber at all times. He moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet. The motion was seconded by Mr. H. F. Forster, who congratulated the president and secretary on the operations of the past year, and who agreed that there were more prosperous times abend.

PREPARE FOR DEAN YEARS. Mr. T. E. Toneycloffe remarked that the easing of the money market would have a still greater effort, on prosperity, which would occur when more money was made available for improvements. During the last three or four years there was a hesitancy on I lie part of lenders to advance sufficient amounts for the securities offered. The prosperity of the district had been brought about by two very favorable seasons and the advanced price for stock, but the question was whether those who had benefited largely were going to put their surplus into the improvement of their estates. If they did that the unemployment position would be relieved. The men on the land, however, must look ahead and prepare for lean years that must be expected, and if they did not do this the producers would not advance very far. There was a tendency in this direction, however, and they could look ahead with great confidence. Mr. C. G. Bloore congratulated the president and secretary on the annual report. There would inevitably be a decrease of the 'bank rate of interest before long. This would help materially and would make the district a very much more productive one than at present. The small farmers were leaping a far greater proportionate profit than the largo holders, and more subdivision would be for the betterment ot the district. Adequate tfp-dressing wotdd not be done on the large estates. The lowering of the bank rate would assist greatly in the improvement of the district and also in the unemployment problem. There must lie an alteration in the education system, however, and with secondary industries better supported there would he greater opportunities for the boys and girls leaving school.

“KEEP SHOULDERS TO THE WHEEL.”

Mr. F. R. Ball said a problem for many years to come was the lack of openings for young hoys and girls who were receiving their education at present:. He would probably lay himself out to criticism, but ho would say that they had been looking for prosperous limes for many years, and, while they wore passing through a period of good market prices now, that would not carry them very Jar unless they established industries for boys and girls to go into after leaving school. That was a question which would be prominent in the near future. At the present time it was not a matter of securing a suitable position for a boy or girl, but of obtaining any employment at all. A large amount of native land was now falling under .the East Coast Commissioner, and he wondered if the Commissioner ctflild be induced to use part of the property not being fully utilised at present for lease at a reasonable rental. He did not think the land should he taken from the Maoris altogether, hut it might be leased to Europeans on satisfactory leases. He stressed the point of satisfactory leases, as the leases had not been satisfactory in the past. He endorsed to a certain extent remarks in regard to confidence in the. future, but -they should not he too optimistic. They had a long way to go before tho district would be in a really prosperous position. If they wore too optimistic they might relax efforts for improvement. They should keep their shoulders to the wheel. The president said that the matter of closer settlement was to be taken up with the Minister of Kinds when lie visited the district shortly. Mr. Tolerton added with respect to Alt'. Ball’s warning against too much optimism that Mr. Ball might liav'c been thinking of the past- season, which was a good one for the primary producers, and was one which would be reflected in business in the future. The motion in connection with the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet was carried.