YEAR’S ACCOUNTS SHOW LOSS

Southland Times, Issue 23768, 16 March 1939, Page 12

YEAR’S ACCOUNTS SHOW LOSS

CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL MEETING AND Luncheon held That the year’s activities had resulted in a loss was emphasized by several speakers at the annual meeting of the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce yesterday and it was urged that efforts be made to improve the financial position. There was a good attendance of members, the president (Mr W. Grieve) being chairman. The meeting was preceded by a luncheon at which the guests included the Mayor (Mr J. R. Hanan), the Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton), the president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce (Mr M. S. Myers), Messrs J. Hargest and T. L. Macdonald, M.Ps., and representatives of the Gore and Dunedin chambers. The annual report stated that the chamber, through its council, had been very active during the year and continuously concentrated upon direct shipping services to Bluff. In that work it was necessary to watch very carefully the interests of importers, otherwise the services offered by the shipping companies concerned might not be to the satisfaction of members and other importers. The . chamber claimed through its activities in that direction the practical support of all business people of the district. A further development of the chamber's activities was the creation of an importers’ committee, which was formed particularly to watch the interests of importers in view of the Government’s import restriction regulations introduced last December. The chamber had been efficiently represented on the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand by Mr C. B. Tapley, to whom members were indebted for his untiring service on their behalf. At the annual conference held in Auckland in November 1938 the chamber was represented by Messrs C. B. Tapley and A. le H. Hoyles. The finances of the chamber were not entirely satisfactory, in that the revenue accounts showed a deficit of £4B 13/8. Every effort would require to be made during the current year to bridge the gap by a thorough canvass of all prospective members. In moving the adoption of the annual report and accounts the president expressed appreciation to the assistance given to him by Mr H. L. Mair, as vice-president and chairman of the shipping committee, Mr H. F. Drewe, as liaison officer between the Bluff Harbour Board and the chamber, Mr C. Bradfield, as chairman of the import committee, and the secretary (Mr A. L. Adamson) and his staff. Last year had been the jubilee year of the chamber and certain non-recurring entertainment expenditure had been incurred. He hoped, however, that there would be an increase in membership during the coming year and higher revenue would balance the expenditure. At the present time it was necessary for all business men to get together to protect their interests. Mr D. Cuthbertson, who seconded the motion, said that three years ago the assets of the chamber amounted to £526, but this amount had now been reduced to £271. This meant that £255 of capital had been spent in three years. In 1936 subscriptions totalled £242 and a loss of £BB had been made. Last year subscriptions had dwindled to £217 and the loss was £49. It appeared that the chamber should take steps at once to stop the present drift. The report and accounts were adopted. The following office-bearers were elected: President, Mr W. Grieve; vicepresident, Mr H. L. Mair; councillors, Messrs A. le H. Hoyles, R. A. Douglas, H. F. Drewe and R. F. Frampton; auditors, Messrs Cuthbertson and Osborne. . Addresses were delivered by Mr Myers and Mr Hamilton. Votes of thanks were passed to the speakers on the motion of the Mayor. Votes of thanks were passed to the president and retiring office-bearers.