CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3821, 14 October 1936, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MONTHLY MEETING. GENERAL BUSINESS DEALT WITH. The president, Mr W. Jeffery, presided ,at the monthly meeting of Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday evening, and also present were Messrs N. McAlister, C. M. Whitehouse, R. H. Annibal, D. Bockett, S. Clark, V. A. de Coek, O. S. West, L. G. Armstrong, E. N. Pascoe, D. T. B. McArthur, F. W. Bevin, J. F. Brooks, and G. O. Jourdain (secretary). Advice was received from the South Auckland Association that Chambers were asked for an opinion on the following matters:— Railway freights: Anomalies in freights were discussed at length, and concrete cases of such anomalies were asked for. Fair Rents Act: It was pointed out that this Act did not apply to shops or business premises, and it was suggested that the Government be asked to extend the legislation. Individual chambers were asked for an opinion. Conference expenses: Associated chambers were reminded that they had agreed to contribute up to £1 per chamber towards the expenses of the president in attending the Napier conference as delegate. It was considered by the central executive that 10s per chamber would be adequate. The council of the Chamber recommended that the Chamber’s attitude in the matter of railway freight anomalies be confined to principles rather than specific cases at present. Regarding the Fair Rents Act, it was felt that extending the legislation would only add to the cost. It was decided to forward the Chamber’s proportion of the country associations’ representatives at the Napier conference. Mr J. A. Lee, Parliamentary Undersecretary, acknowledging a communication from Te Awamutu Chamber (forwarded through Mr W. J. Broadfoot) relative to the establishment of a State joinery factory at Te Awamutu, or other centre in the country districts, said he would be pleased to fully consider the matter.—Received. Te Aroha Chamber asked for support of a motion concerning the mortgagors’ rehabilitation legislation urging that local advisory committees be set up to procure and supply to the commissioners all needed evidence and particulars where aajustment ui liabilities and responsibilities were concerned. It was claimed that this provision would facilitate satisfactory adustments inexpensively and speedily.

It was explained that the legislation required the Commission to investigate each case. The contention was made that a local committee could obtain a lot of information beforehand to place before the Commission. This brought the remark that some appellants or applicants might object to a local advisory committee and to stating their position to a local aavisory committee, and thereby the Te Aroha objective would oe deieated.

Another view was that the suggestion that such local committee members be paid fees for inspections and reports would only add to the cost. At present costs were low. The communication was received.

The secretary South Auckland Association of Country Chambers advised that the next quarterly meeting would be held at Rotorua on Wednesday evening (21st instant) and urging that Te Awamutu Chamber be directly represented if possible. The town clerk wrote asking that the Chamber be represented at a meeting of representatives of local and public bodies next Monday evening to consider plans for a Health Stamp campaign in Te Awamutu and neighbourhood. The Mayor was convening the meeting. it was mentioned that last year the total contributions aggregated £11,793.

Members expressed interest and sympathy with the obejetive for all funds raised locally were ear-marked

ar caring for children at the health camps.

It was mentioned that last year with practically no organisation the total sales locally represented about £2O whereas the sales of the Anzac stamps exceeded £7o—because of organisation and enthusiastic work. The health stamps to an equal value could surely be sold for such a worthy cause if the public could be canvassed.

The president (Mr Jeffery) and the vice-president (Mr Whitehouse) were appointed to attend the Mayor’s meeting.