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Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 65, Issue 5525, 16 September 1942, Page 4

MONTHLY MEETING HELD IMPORTANT LOCAL MATTERS DISCUSSED The President, Mr G. A. Gibbs, presided at the monthly meeting of the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce last evening. IMPORT CONTROL REGULATIONS The Bureau of Importers at Auckland wrote in connection with supplies from overseas. It was explained that the commercial community had made strenuous efforts to carry on the business of the country under restrictive influences of the Government. Appeals had been made for more commonsense and business methods in Government control, the only effect being a continuance of the import control regulations in a more drastic form. It was considered, too, that the public were accepting the attitude of the Government toward the business community with a great deal of apathy and very few seemed to realise the serious state of affairs that was developing. It was suggested that a business representative should be appointed to Washington to act entirely apart from the Government. In the discussion it was thought that any appointment as was proposed was more the concern of the importers. It was also argued that there has already been too much organisation, which amounted to the regimentation of business. The opinion was expressed that the main need at the moment was to awaken public opinion to the dangers of the present trend in business. The secretary was instructed to communicate with the Importers’ Bureau accordingly. RELEASE OF BOOT REPAIRER On the question of a shortage of boot repairers at Te Awamutu, it was decided to seek further information. Representations had been made to the manpower authorities, but a decision was awaited. Meanwhile it was reported that much repair work was be. ing sent away to Auckland and many cases of shoddy work were reported. ATTENTION TO GARDENS

The South Auckland Association of Country Chambers raised a question of assistance to soldiers’ wives in tending their gardens. It was suggested that certain members of E.P.S. would be able to perform this work, especially as certain departments of E.P.S. were required to meet at very limited periods and when compared with Home Guard, give very little direct service. It was suggested that regulations be brought forward empowering controllers to detail E.P.S. personnel to do gardening work for soldiers’ wives.—The proposal was generally favoured, and it is to be referred to the E.P.S. executive for action deemed necessary. BENZINE SUPPLIES

Reference was made to the threatened withdrawal of the limited license for petrol to Te Rore settlers and the president was empowered to take any action deemed necessary in support of the settlers’ request for the retention of their minimum of necessary communication with their business centre at Te Awamutu.

EXTRA BAKERY NEEDED The president reported that a deputation had waited on him in support of an agitation to secure another bakery permit at Te Awamutu. It seemed that both an experienced baker and a suitably appointed bakehouse were available. Representations had been made to the manpower committee for the necessary permit and it was asked that support be given to these representations.—The action taken by the president in collaboration with the Mayor was approved.