CALL TO ACTIVITY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 73, Issue 6281, 13 September 1946, Page 4

CALL TO ACTIVITY

TIME AND NEED TQ ORGANISE MANY TASKS AHEAD In his annual report to the Chamber of Commerce last Tuesday, the retiring president, Mr L. G. Armstrong, reported much that he had stated :n an earlier appeal for greater activity and co-operation. “During the war years,” he said, “it was understandable that many institutions and organisations would experience varying degrees of disoiganisation, and it could have been expected, therefore, that much in Chamber of Commerce activity would be suspended. In those years, as all people knew, effort turned mainly :‘n other directions; but now, as many deferred projects must be explored and developed, the need arises for a revival of collective effort. Not yet, however, is there a sign of an awakening or returning interest in the work of the Chamber of Commerce. The meetings are poorly attended, and when there is so much to be done there are so many who stand aloof. “The Chamber of Commerce in Te Awamutu was formed in 1911. Naturally an organisation of the business community, it has served as the rallying-point for collective opinion to be stated and for unified endeavours. Many years of successful accomplishment proved both the need* for and the useful purpose of such an institutions. Primarily it is required of the business man that he should, in his particular sphere, fulfil the public demand in the matter of supply and service. It is combined efficiency in the individual businesses, which establishes the value of the town as a trading centre for the district which is serviced. But, beyond the individual business there are other features of public interest and public developmental activities which can not be ignored. It becomes necessary, therefore, that forms of collective action must be taken, and voluntary organisation is required. The Chamber of Commerce provides the method for such an organisation; it offers the opportunity for the statement of opinions, the study of purposes, and the final means of collective action. “But, all these purposes came to nought if the methods are not followed. Sparse attendances at meetings of the Chamber makes it impossible for such an organisation to function. The fact that there are so many people who are eligible for membership, and were not members, and so many who are members who never attend meetings, make it impossible for the Chamber of Commerce to function fully and efficiently. Although i many months have passed since world hostilities ceased, and when war-time activities can be laid aside, the attendance at meetings of the Chamber are such as to forbid any semblance of a representative statement of opinion when questions arise, and to deny the quality of unity of action when tasks are undertaken.

“The excuses for such neglect are. many. Most common is the statement that the individual is too busy with his own affairs. There are others who profess a desire to avoid any open discussion of public interest. There are others, still, who state their disagreement with what the Chamber of Commerce did or did not do on. some unspecified occasion. It is difficult to find the man who does not say what ‘ought’ to be done: and who, apparently, is content to let others do it! What some indefinable ‘they’ should do seems to be a very popular suggestion, but ‘they’ are always the other fellows.’

“On examination it would be found that any of these reasons or excuses, if applicable to those who hold themselves aloof, could apply equally well to those who at least strive to carry out the tasks always to be found in voluntary public organisation. The fact remains that it is vitally necessary for some means to be preserved for the holding of regular assemblies of business people and citizens generally in order that proposals and projects vital to the welfare of the town and district might be discussed, opinions voiced, and orderly decisions reached. If it can be allowed that every business man is too busy in his own affairs to give heed to questions of public concern, it can be asked what method or means can be employed to promote or advance questions of general interest. If the claim is made that we seek to uphold the democratic system, then must it not happen that we must find time to engage in the proper conduct of democratic institutions ? And is there not inconsistency in any claim to suggest what the vaguely-stated ‘they’ should do when really there is a personal or an individual privilege, conferred by the democratic system.

“This at least can be stated and realised: By good fortune we live in a district rich in actual and latent opportunity. Around us there is steadily expanding development. Similar good fortune places on the business community a wide sphere of useful service. Gradually Te Awamutu has gained recognition as a thriving borough and in the directions of supply arid servicing there is much by way of individual accomplishment. But in the more general sphere, of amenities and services there is the continually increasing need for organised and co-ordinated effort; and if it is deemed to be not within the province of the business community to meet these responsibilities then it must be. admitted that the capacity or the organising ability of the citizens is lacking. If that is admitted then, clearly, there is no purpose which a depleted Chamber of Commerce can serve.

“Therefore it has been suggested that the annual meeting and the election of officers of the Chamber of Commerce for the ensuing year be deferred so that the business people might be invited to attend an open meeting. The attendance and the degree of interest ‘displayed at that meeting will indicate whether dr not to attempt to carry on- for another year with small attendances and scant interest. It will rest entirely with the business people. If, in their wisdom, they elect to leave to a few willing citizens the duties that rightfully should be shared by many—if they decide to remain on the sidelines—then the time has arrived for the activities of the Chamber of Commerce to be suspended, for it is apparent that the tasks that lie ahead are real and demand whole-hearted effort if any real headway is to be made. “It is not the responsibility of the few to attempt what is the duty of all to do at a time when the leeway

of the war years has to be overtaken. These tasks, too, will become the greater as every stage in the development and progress of Te Awamutu is reached.” In the discussion of the report, members said it was a plain and straightforward statement of a very serious position. It was not a pleasing duty to admit so many signs of apathy in the community, but the facts could not very well be ignored. The feeling was expressed that there would be a revival of interest and that organisation in future would be more seriously regarded by increasing numbers. New officers were elected and a resolute attempt is to be. made to stimulate interest which will, in turn, lead to wider spheres of acknowledgement.