ANNUAL REPORT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20107, 14 May 1935, Page 13

ANNUAL REPORT

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ACTIVITIES OUTLINED A very full season’s activities is reviewed in the annual report of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce It was a matter of regret to report the passing during the year of two members of the Chamber, namely, Messrs Walter Raymond and C. H. Tripp, The late Mr Raymond was a member of the Council at the time of his death, while the late Mr Tripp was an old and esteemed member. Expressions of sympathy had been conveyed to the relatives of the deceased. The membership at the close of the last financial year was 106. During the current year eight resignations were received, leaving the current membership at 98. It was recently considered opportune to embark on a membership drive and it was confidently expected that the Chamber would face the coming year with a substantial increase in membership. Invitations were extended to the general body of members to attend the monthly meetings of the Council and while Quite a number took advantage of the facility, the Council appealed to members to take an even keener Interest in the Chamber's deliberations. The Associated Chambers of Commerce with its full time secretariat continued to be an active force, and while doing a tremendous amount of work on behalf of the commercial community as a whole, was able to perform a considerable amount of service for individual Chambers. It fulfilled the function of co-ordinating the expressed opinions of the various provincial Chambers and with its centrally situated organisation could promptly and effectively make, in official quarters, those representations which were difficult to handle from a distance. It was gratifying to report that the per capita levy during the year budgeted for South Canterbury had been met uot of revenue, no canvass being made for the additional amount. The president, and vicepresident represented the Chamber at the annual meeting of the Associated Chambers held in Christchurch in November and the election of the president as a member of the executive could be taken as a distinct compliment ta the Chamber. The vice-presi-dent, Mr C. S. Hammond, resigned his seat in November consequent upon his transfer on promotion to Christchurch. The Chamber’s regrets at losing his services were expressed to Mr Hammond who would, however, retain a lively interest in its work. The Junior body continued to be a very active force, and had concluded a successful year. Regular monthly meetings were held, and numerous matters were sent forward for the consideration of the Senior Chamber. The outstanding event of the year w»as the debate arranged by the Junior Chamber between Mr R. K. Burns, of the University of Washington, and Messrs S. Black and L. P. Collins representing the Junior Chamber. It is interesting to note that the only other Junior Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand was that affiliated to the Auckland Chamber. The Junior Chamber’s giembership now stood at 37, and was 4 self-supporting body. Successful Publicity The Publicity and Progress Committee reports another successful season. The Accommodation Bureau which was instituted by the Chamber some years ago again performed with marked success the function for which it was inaugurated, and arranged accommodation for over 300 visitors, thus discharging a very important and useful function. Consequent on the feeling that the time was opportune for publicity of a wider nature, a public meeting was convened by the Mayor, under the auspices of the Chamber, as a result of which the Timaru Publicity Committee was formed, with the ambitious project of placing the attractions of Timaru before the whole of the Dominion. Subsidised by the Timaru Borough Council, the Timaru Harbour Board, and the New Zealand Railways Publicity Department, together with the donations of the townspeople, the scheme had reached fruition, and the Committee had placed with the Railways Department a contract extending over a year. The Chamber had continued to support the question of irrigating South Canterbury, and in particular the scheme for the irrigation of the Levels-Seadown area. A public meeting was held under the auspices of the Chamber at which the interested farmers were addressed by Messrs G. H. Holford, B.Sc., president of the Canterbury Progress League, and T. G. Beck, of the Public Works Department, and were given first hand information of the possibilities and operation of this scheme and pf irrigation in general. A Committee under the convenorship of Mr C. E. Kerr was maintaining a continued interest in the proposal. The sliding scale of duties on wheat and flour had been maintained without alteration in spite of the fight put up by the Auckland delegates at the last Associated Chambers’ Conference. Harbour Matters The sense of unrest in regard to the future of the Port and the expressed opinions of laymen that ships were not calling or being scheduled to call on account of the condition of the port, had renewed the Chamber’s interest in this matter, which was one on which the future of the province depended to a certain degree. The existing apprehension had been somewhat allayed by the fact that the Harbour Board had appointed a Committee to consider the various proposals whereby the inherent difficulties may be overcome. The question of the representation on HarBour Boards of payers of dues was again raised by the Chamber, but in view of the fact that the whole question would very likely be considered at the Harbour Boards’ Association Conference, it was decided, in the meantime, to take no further action. The number of sailings from the United Kingdom, making Timaru a direct port of call, was five, as against four last year. This matter was one in which the Chamber interested itself, but, of course, representations to the end indicated was of no avail if sufficient support was not accorded by local merchants. to whom the Chamber appealed to make the utmost use in order that the splendid facilities offered might be renewed or extended. The Chamber had supported the Associated Chambers in its efforts to have the sales tax of emergency taxation abolished. During the year the possibility of the New Zealand Bankruptcy Act being amended to allow uniformity with the English law. was the subject of discussion, and representations to the Associated Chambers were made accordingly, the Associated Chambers making representations in the proper quarter. The services of Mr J. Leggott, who had filled the office of secretary of the Chamber so capably for 10 years, were lost during the year, as a result of his relinquishing office on account of pressure of other duties. The very high esteem in which Mr Leggott was held by the business Community was amply evidenced by the

demonstrations of appreciation accorded him at his last meeting. In addition to his resignation being such a loss to the business community, the Chamber suffered a severe blow as Mr Leggott was always regarded as an ideal and outstanding secretary. Consequent upon Mr Leggott’s resignation. Mr F. J. Cook was appointed secretary of the Chamber, and commenced the duties of this office in November. Mortgage Legislation During the year perhaps the most far-reaching financial legislation for many years was introduced in the House, having as its real object the rehabilitation of the farmers, namely: The Mortgage Corporation Act, and the Rural Mortgagors Final Adjustment Bill. In the Bill stage these two Bills were promptly reviewed by a committee representative of all business interests set up under the auspices of the Associated Chambers and representing in particular the Associated Chambers of New Zealand, the New Zealand Law Society, the New Zealand Stock and Station Agents, the New Zealand Insurance Societies, the New Zealand Building Societies, and the Associated Banks. After numerous conferences, this joint committee brought down a very comprehensive report reviewing certain dangers in the proposed legislation, and putting forward alternate constructive proposals. This committee had the privilege of meeting the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, and was able to have certain amendments introduced. The Chamber supported the action of the Associated Chambers. Consequent upon the matter being brought forward by the Junior Chamber, overtures were made to the Department of Scientific Research for the inauguration of special forecasts for South Canterbury, the Department replying that with the meagre facilities available to the Department at present, such reports were not possible. Overtures had however, been made to have the Canterbury forecasts available in the local papers Instead of over the air as at present. The method of the marketing of the Samoan banana crop by the New Zealand Government was recently reviewed by the Chamber, and representations had been made suggesting that the present method, whereby the whole output was sold by tender to one firm for distribution throughout the Dominion, be altered with the idea of reverting to the old system of disposal by sale on consignment. The expenditure exceeded the income by £7/11/9, the accumulated fund now standing at £Bl/11/4, while the Junior Chamber had added to its accumulated fund to the extent of £5/1/9. The Council recorded its appreciation to the Canterbury Farmers’ Co-operative Associaticxi Ltd., for the use of its Board Room, and to the Press for the very full reports of the Chamber's deliberations and of matters of interest to members generally.