Chamber of Commerce

Te Aroha News, Volume XXXIII, Issue 15629, 2 June 1915, Page 3

Chamber of Commerce

MONTHLY MEETING At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce on Monday evening, Messrs C H. Richardson (president; T, Stanley. W. Mackie, 'E. C. Tassel), J. Robinson, D. Roland, R. C. Willis, H. Willis, R. Coulter, G. Hedge, and J. Kirby, were present. The minutes of the April meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE —Excursion Trains— A letter was received from the Railway Department stating it bad been decided to continue the excursion trains to Rotorua and Te Aroha during the winter, the dates to be June 19th, July‘i7th, August 21st, September iSih, and October 16th. Received -7-Train Connections The Minister of Railways wrote stating that the ma'ter of the 3.37 p.m Frankton-Paeroa train being delayed twenty .minutes to connect with the Auckland 12.40 p.m express was under consideration. P,oposed by Mr Tassell and seconded by Mr W Mackie that should reply be received before next meeting, that it be dealt with by the executive committee. Carried. —Te Aroha Views— The Librarian of the Auckland Library wrote asking the Chamber to resume possession of the case of views ill the building. Proposed by the Chairman and seconued by Mr Jy Robinson,-that a letter be sent asking if a new set of views be provided whether a space would be given for the disp'ay of the case. Carried. Strike Accounts — A letter was received from Ihe Farmers’ Union relatiye to payments of outstanding accounts in connection with the strike, Received. —Finance— Accounts totalling £5 ss'fld weie passed for payment; The treasurer reported a credit balance of £8 Ss sd. —The King’s Birthday— The Chairman brought forward the question of June 3rd being ob•served a public holiday. This was a statutory holiday, aud would have to be observed. The King did not wi*»h any demonstrations throughout the Empire on that day,

but there was no option but to observe the holiday in New Zealand. —Recruits— Mr W. Mackie moved that this Chamber ask the co-operation of other Chambers of Cotnmeice in regard to the enlisting of reciuits to take up arms against the Ger maus, Hungarians and Austrians. In speaking to the motion Mr Mackie said it was time to act here, and the property of the Germans should be confiscated, while they should then be put penniless into Germauy, Action such as this would be the greatest lesson ever

given to Germauy, which should never have tampered with Britain Germany should be taught they had a foe prepared to confiscate the property of the enemy, some of which ; were singing the “ Ilymn of Plate,” ■while others were breathing it inaudibly. In New Zealand there were about 10,000 Get mans, in Australia 30,000, aud at Home 150,000 and action should be taken in the direction indicated. Mr T. Stanley : aid he would like to have seen a nit ch better attended meeting to discuss the proposition. Personally he felt very.bitter against Germauy, since .be had read that among those sent to a watery grave by Germany tvere thirty to forty young babies. This showed tin re r was nothing that Germany would not 0 descend to, and Britons could not help feeling very bitter over the way they had been treated. ' There were still a larger number of spies throughout the Empire, through which casualities have happened. It was probable that the explosions lately recorded may have resulted from their work. He would support the resolution, and would like to see it brought before the Government. The chairman said the matter relative to Germans in New Zealand was being dealt w : th by the Government, which he understood was obtaining a list of Germans in the Dominion. - He s iggested that the proposition might be left until it was known wiaat decision the Government arrived ah " After further discussion it was agreed to defer the motion for a fortnight.

—Vote of Condolence On Mr E. C. TasseU's motion a vote of condolence was passed to Mr and Mrs J. Whitten in the death by drowning of their eldest son. —Time of Meeting— The chairman gave notice to move at the next meeting, that in future members meet at 7 p.ni. punctually, on account of the National Reserve drills being held on Mondays. “ The Call ” Mr R. Coulter moved, “ That this Chamber urges upon the Government to make better provision for those depending on members of the re-inforce-ments, whether blcod i Nations or not; the £3O per annum proposed being quite inadequate.” The mover said it was unreasonable to expect men to risk their lives to leave those depending upon them in poverty. He considered better provision by the Government as suggested would lead to an increase in recruiting. MgJ. Kirby seconded, and after a the proposition was carrier. —A Morgue — Mr Tassell moved, and the chairman seconded, that the Borough Council be written to relative to the erection of a Morgue, and the appointment of a coroner for the Te Aroha district. Carried. —Life Savir g Apparatus — On the motion of Mr Coulter and Mr R C Willis it was decided that the Borough Council be asked to make provision for possible accidents at the river in the way of life buoys, etc. This was carried and Mr W. Mackie said he would be pleased to present a life buoy and four or five life belts. On the motion of Messrs Coulter and Kirby a vote of thanks was carried by acclamation to Mr Mackie for the gift-