AN OPTIMISTIC NOTE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17173, 1 February 1930, Page 14

AN OPTIMISTIC NOTE

REVIEW OF THE YEAR PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING. An interesting review of the trade of the district and of the Dominion during (ho past year, with reference also to the prospects for the future, was given at the annual general meeting of the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce last evening. The address was given by Mr. F. Tolerton, who moved the adoption of the annual report, which was published recently, and the year was reviewed also bv Mr. C. C. Bloore. Tbo outgoing president. Mr. Tolerton, presided at the commencement- of the meeting, and the chair was taken later by his successor, Mr. L. Miles. There were also present : Messrs T. Corson, 11. F. Forster, P. G. T. Feacocke, F. R. Ball, T. E, Toncvcliffe, A. Baillie, R. W. J. Edwards, Jas. Chrisp, A. L. Muir. E. T. Doddrell, M. J White, W. Findlay, O. G. Bloore, J. Sunderland. A. Wilson, and T. G. Lawless.

Thf! president began by hefei-ring to tbo lack of interest taken in the chamber by the country members; the council was much concerned with the produce of the Dominion, with the improvement of highways, and with the progress of the district generally, but the country members displayed little interest. That applied also to the A. and P. Association and similar organisations, which he considered should also, become members of the chamber. “We have, advanced a stage further,” continued the president, in referring to the railway works,. “The route of the, railway has been decided upon, and the only thing to be finalised is the approach to Gisborne. We have bad no official advice yet. but a route through The Willows lias been suggested, and it is pointed out that this would .reduce the distance by five miles, and Would also reduce the haulage and maintenance costs.” Referring to the roadworks in the district, the president remarked that the chamber had battled to keep its end up, Advice bad been received that the creeks on the GisborneNapier road were to be bridged, and the chamber was also pushing to have the creeks on the northern road similarly dealt with. The harbor works,were progressing slowly, and the railway bridge was now being completed, together with the approaches. “Tn postal matters,” went on Mr. Tolcton. “we are much indebted tn our Chief Postmaster. Mr. W. Fisher, for t'-e interest he has taken in all suggestions and matters put forward hv the chamber, and it is with regret that we hear of his removal.” Another matter for gratification was the steps taken towards closer settlement; a well-known estate has been offered to life public in 20-acre lots. Referring to publicity matters, Mr. Tolerton said that iust prior to the annual meeting a meeting had been held in eonnectio with the suggested publishing of a district hand- i book, but it bad been found necessary to postpone finalisation of the scheme until towards the end of the year. Tt was felt by all that the district was not passing through as good timesashad been hoped for, and that it would ho difficult to get the other local T idies to contribute, but in the. meantime the committee would proceed to collect the ne cssary information. This time last year the farmers Had looked forward tii a very successful year, hut unfortunately the wool market had now crashed hadlv. “However, if is not as Tad as it lnmht have been,” said Mr. Tolerton. “and we must not yet our tails between our leas. We have adopted the slogan ‘Buy British Goods.’ and we should encourage the ladies to buy more woollen wear: too much silk, artificial silk, and other artificial fabrics are used. Although the prices i are down 1 do not think we should be pessimist ic.” Mr, Tolerton concluded by thanking the members for their assistance and loyal support during his term of office. He referred specially to the work of the secretary, Mr. W. Hamilton Irvine, pointing out that those who had not occupied the presidential chair could not appreciate all that lie did, putting his whole-hearted interest into the affairs of the chamber.

“I think il is time for a few words of optim'sm. instead of all this pessimism.” remarked Mr. C. G. Bloore, in speaking to the motion, which had been seconded by Air. T. K. Toneycliffe. “I am glad to see that, the press has been publishing a series of articles which should make (lie optimist more happy.” Since (lie last slump, he went on. there had been an increase of 22 per cent, in the sheep of the Dominion, and the average price of wool was still .over Is per lb. Te Wera block had produced 222 bales of wool during the past months, compared with 174 the previous season. The figures of the trade per head of New Zealand provided an indication of the Dominion’s prosperity. The figure for this country was £66, the next highest being Australia with £52, while the figure for U.S.A. was only £ls. Thus the trade per head of New Zealand was more than four times that of America, and the speaker felt that that was something to stir people up. Exports last vear reached a value of £56,000,000, and though the prices of wool and butter had dropped, the added amount of butter exported should more than off-set that drop, while the greater amount of wool sent away should just about even it up. The price of butter must inevitably rise again, and the chamber must remember the law of supplv and demand. “Don’t let this chamber publish nothing but pessimism,” concluded Mr. Bloore. “I must take exception to Mr. Bloore’s remarks in reference to pessimism,”-said Mr. Tolerton. “I do not think the annual report or my remarks were in that strain, and' I merely said that there was too much pessimism.”

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Mr. L. Miles: vice-president, Mr. F. It. Ball; council. Messrs. A. Baillie. C. G. Bloore, •Ins. Ohrisn, T. Corson, H. H. deCosta, Wm. Findlay. H. F. Forster. T. 0. Law. less. A. L. Muir. A. Wilson, 11. D. Chrisp. P. G. T. Pcawke. M. J. White, T. ty Toncvcliffe. J. Sunderland, R. W. T. Edwards, E. T. Dodd roll. F. Tolerton. : honorary auditor. M-. F H. Lawfoil; honorary secretary, Mr. W. Hamilton Irvine. The following new members were do ted: Messrs J. R, Sampson. John Col lev. 0. W. Muir. T. Adams. P. G. Dwver, and Phil Pike. Votes of thalilis to the retiring president. the secretary, and the retirin'l- - the council were, carried unanimously.