CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Southland Times, Issue 22296, 11 April 1934, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

GORE COUNCIL MEETING. The monthly meeting of the general committee of the Gore Chamber of Commerce was held last evening. In the absence of the president (Mr A. T. Newman), Mr E. C. Smith presided and there were present: Messrs O. J. Howells, W. B. Johnston, C. R. Wilson, T. Sherborne, A. B. Caverhill and A. H. Aitken (secretary). A letter was received from the Te Awamutu Chamber stating that the method adopted by the Government regarding the supply of electric current from the main distributing centres to the respective power boards at varying rates or charges had been severely criticized by the chamber and it had been felt that the time had now arrived when the whole of the power stations and their cost should be treated on a Dominion basis and that power boards and supply authorities should be charged for bulk supply at a uniform rate. It had been decided to circularize each chamber on the subject and if sufficient support were forthcoming to frame a remit for consideration at the next annual conference. The letter was received. The secretary of the Associated Chambers wrote in reference to building construction in a manner calculated to resist earthquake shocks. The Building Construction Bill, which was introduced by the Government to the House of Representatives, stated the letter, was open to objection because of the expensive and cumbersome administration through a Government department for which the Bill made provision. For that reason the executive did not view the Bill with favour and it had been dropped by the Government, which now intended that local bodies should be the authorities to apply safety building regulations in respect of constructional work throughout New Zealand. The executive viewed this matter as being far the more satisfactory and at its latest meeting decided that all constituent chambers should be asked to urge on their local authorities the bringing into force of reasonable regulations with regard to earthquake resisting buildings. It was decided to draw the attention of the Borough Council to the advisability of making suitable provisions in building regulations for earthquake risks.