CHAMBER Or COMMERCE

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1930, Page 10

CHAMBER Or COMMERCE

LOCAL BODIES’ INDEBTEDNESS. NO CLERK FOR STOCK OFFICE. The growing indebtedness of local authoriHefi was the subject of a circular submitted by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce to a meeting of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce last nivht. The report stated that the gross indebtedness of local governing bodies, in New Zealand had nearly trebiC< ll the past decade, haying been £28,0Q0,000 at March, 1919, and being £68,000,000 now. Per capita the figures had risen, from £24 to £46, while annual loan charges had risen from 3.1 mi io to 6.1 millions annually, or from 54s to 85s per head of population. Relatively little of that expenditure, the report continued, was on definitely productive works and some of the works, notably some of the haib works were not fully productive. The assets of the local authorities, weie estimated bv the local authorities to be of value approximately equal to th°e gross debt. In fact, however the assets included, inter a.ia, sue items as reserves, parks and which were not productive in a dnect ““Fam glad to see that the Auckland Chamber'is drawing attention . to the haphazard way some local bodies i o into debt, said the chairman, Mr. J. b. Richards. No action was taken. The Marton Chamber forwarded the following resolution: “That °"?»S undue preference given to cutaui ti < ere under section 5i of the Chattels Transfer Act, 1924, representations be made to the Government as follows: (1) To amend the Act, making it compulsory for all hire purchase agreements to be registered; (2) that section 57, sub-clause 6 of the Act, whereby the Governor-General by Order-in-Council mar add to the class of chattels defined in the seventh schedule to the Act be repealed; (3) that the seventh schedule be purged of items of luxury. Since the passing of the Act in 1924, stated the Marton Chamber, the hire purchase system had grown to such an extent that it had become alarming and had had more far-reaching effects than had been contemplated when it had been introduced. The opinion was expressed that the resolution was not sufficiently concise, and while it was desirable that hire purchase agreements should, be registered, to try to define luxuries in such, a manner that no one jvould be penalised was a very big subject. The chamber did hot approve of that portion of the iesolution. . The Department of Agriculture advised that the appointment of- a clerical officer to the office of the department in Stratford was not considered to bo warranted and could not be recommended. There were many offices whore similar conditions obtained, and all such cases must be treated alike. The secretary, Mr AV. Power, reported that the department had. been written to emphasising that . its decision would be received with dissatisfaction and suggesting that the suggestion should be' reconsidered. It was decided in view of the. urgent need for national economy and in view of free travelling for school children on railways, with the provision for vacation tickets at reduced rates, the chamber could not endorse the suggestion of the Gore Chamber that the half-price age for children be increased from 12 to 14 years. A proposal from Auckland, said Mi. A. • Coleman, had been placed before the Taranaki Law Society that in judicial matters the Ohura district and the hinterland of Taranaki, be. included in the Auckland judicial district. Apart fiom the law aspect of the matter, the proposal concerned Taranaki, he raid. A ere it to be adopted the change might become Hie thin edge, of the wedge towards having the commercial interests of the distinct severed from Taranaki. The chamber will make a protest against the proposal.

TE V/’ERA HEWS. The popularity of the fortnightly euchre parties and dances under the auspices of the Huiakama school committee was demonstrated on Friday night, when the fourth of the series was held in the hall. About 60 people spent an enjoyable evening. Visitors were present from Ngaere, Strathmore, Kiore,. Pohukura, Whangamomona and Kohuratahi. The ladies’ prize .was won. by Mrs. Sherlock after playing off with Mrs. McGilvery. Mr. Keenan won the men’s, while the consolation prizes were won by Mrs. Hamilton and Mr. Mora. The dance music was supplied by Messrs. J. Garlick, C. Simmons, W. Ehler and L. Mounsey. Mr. and Mrs. Barwick have returned from Auckland. Mr. Kemp, sen., and Mr. L. Kemp have returned from a motor trip to Auckland. Mrs. E. Jennings, Kohuratahi, has been spending a short holiday with her sister, Mrs. Clopatt. Miss Bottin, Wharehuia, is the guest of her sister, Mrs. L. Kemp. Mr. C. O’Neil, Ngaere, has returned after spending a short holiday with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James O’Neil. Mr. H. Garlick, who met with an accident on Mount Egmont a short time ago, is convalescent. DUDLEY ROAD NEWS. A dance social was held in the Dudley Road school last week in order to farewell Mr. J. Jacobsen, who is leaving the rood after a long residence there. Mr. Baldwin made a presentation to the departing guest on behalf of the many settlers assembled. Mr. and Mrs. A. Clark have returned after their honeymoon in Napier and -Wellington. They were appropriately welcomed back. The county employees have been working on the road for some time and have made a decided improvement. The road is beinrr widened and repaired general-. °