CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Southland Times, Issue 21090, 23 May 1930, Page 9

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEETING OF COUNCIL.

A meeting of. the council of the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon. There were present:

Mr D. Rutledge (in the. chair), Messrs H. S. Cordery, W. Grieve, C. B. Tapley, J. H. Reed, A. le H. Hoyles, L. W. Spencer, W. A. Ott, A. H. .Mackrell, G. Glen, J. Pickard, T. S. Tomlinson, J. S. Brass, J. R. Hamilton, and W. T. Johnson. Owing to pressure of business the president (Mr D. J. Wesney) was unable to be present. The local manager of the Union Steam Ship Company, Mr L. W. Spencer, wrote stating that in regard to the chamber’s communication in connection with telephone communication with the Melbourne passenger steamer while at Bluff, the company had decided to delay the installation for a few months as they were negotiating with the Bluff Harbour Board over a new wharf. Mr Spencer, who was present, explained that the company was awaiting the decision of the Bluff Harbour Board at its next meeting. The present was the off season, and when the new wharf was constructed in three or four months’ time, action could be taken then. At present the Maheno was berthed at any wharf and that would mean that a number of fittings would have to be constructed. Mr Hoyles said that they were beating the air. The Union Company had signified their willingness and they should leave it to them and the Post Office. The letter was received. The secretary of the Associated Chambers of Commerce wrote in regard to the action of the Associated Chambers in taking over the activities of the' 192 S Committee. The letter stated that as the decision was arrived at at a conference at which Invercargill was represented, it was thought that Invercargill was in full agreement. He hoped that the chamber would give further consideration and rescind their previous motion. Mr Rutledge said it was a pity that Mr Wesney was not present, as he felt very strongly on the matter. Mr Wesney had said that the decision to take over the activities of the committee was not arrived at in conference, but by a committee. Around their table they had men who supported both political parties and chambers of commerce should confine themselves to matters of commerce and not politics. Assisting financially was a needless expense. Mr Mackrell said that they had to avoid contentious matters.

Mr Rutledge said that chambers had suf-

ficient influence to bring their cases for- ' ward without the intimidation of Ministers, for that was what it amounted to. It was decided to set up a committee to draft a reply to the letter and to investigate the matter further. The president, vice-president and Mr Glen were appointed to the committee. The secretary of the Associated Chambers of Commerce wrote stating that the matter of telephone toll charges should be kept in view and where considered advisable, efforts should be made to bring about a change. The Secretary of. the Post Office had already been approached and he had said that at the present time no changes could be made. The chamber was asked to bring forward any specific grievances. Mr Cordery said that the numbers five and nine often proved awkward. They were frequently confused. Mr Tapley said that his number was 983 and the ambulance number was 583. He was frequently rung up for the ambulance. Mr Tapley also brought up the matter of a flat rate for telephones. He considered that a person in the suburbs should be charged the same for his telephone as a person in the city. Mr Mackrell said that it might mean that more people in the suburbs would install a telephone. The letter was received.