YEAR REVIEWED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21360, 1 June 1939, Page 14

YEAR REVIEWED

Chamber of Commerce New President Elected There was a good attendance of members at the Annual meeting of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce last night. The president 'Mr E. Darroch) occupied the chair. Before the commencement of business, the president extended a welcome to Mr M. Myers, of Dunedin, president of the Federated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand. He expressed a hope that Mr Myers would enjoy his stay in Timaru. and that he would make many friends. The president also welcomed the Rev. Clyde Carr, M.P.. and Mr 11. C. Cresson, the newly-elected president of the South Canterbury Junior Chamber of Commerce. Presidential Address In moving the adoption of the annual report, the retiring president said that the presence with them that night of the president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce relieved him of the duty of referring to questions of a national character, and he did not choose to embark on a speculative discourse concerning the international situation. The speaker made reference to railway freights, manufacturing industries and the drift of so many young people from provincial districts to the main centres (reported elsewhere' and then went on to speak of the import control regulations. Im-

porters had the matter in hand, but it appeared to him that all were fighting among themselves about the distribution of the national pot of wealth. Capital wanted safety of principal and reasonable earning power; labour wanted increased wages and security, and guarantees against poverty resulting from incapacity and old age; farmers wanted the opportunity of producing more without any depreciation in the price of their produce; importers desired freedom in trading, and manufacturers sought protection. “We all want to maintain a high standard of living, with purchasing power to consume all we are able to produce in all industries.” said Mr Darroch. “We should therefore all be united in an effort to enlarge the national income by co-operating in an effort to increase and distribute our goods and services—and thereby our national income which at present is not sufficient to give all the reward they desire and is their due.” Light Metal Industries Mr Darroch then referred briefly to the address on “Light Metal Industries” recently delivered to the Chamber by Mr L. C. Walker. Anyone following the development now taking place, in other parts of the world, in the manufacture and uses of aluminium could not be otherwise than impressed by the amazing possibilities in the development of the industry’ in South Canterbury, said Mr Darroch. Experts had convinced them of the enormous hydro-electric poiver resources of Lake Tekapo; there was no question to-day that ample power could be made available, and there were huge fields of bauxite in Western Australia which opened up possibilities that at least were deserving of thorough investigation.. When they realised that all the aluminium produced in the United Kingdom was produced from bauxite brought from as far afield ..s British Guiana, the reasonableness of the idea was more readily appreciated. It might not be to much to suggest that funds should be provided for at least the preliminary investigations and reports from thoroughly reliable experts. It was such a vast scheme and so immensely important that efforts should also be made to interest the governments of Western Australia and New Zealand in the project. If bauxite could be shipped and transported from British Guiana to the North of Scotland and a large and growing aluminium industry established there, such as at Lochnaver. it was no mere visionary dream to suggest the possibilities for South Canterbury and fully realise the national asset they possessed in the potential hydroelectric power at Lake Tekapo. The motion was seconded by Mr W. A. Fleming, who said there might be some v, o attended meetings who might have been disappointed with the amount of business which c’.me forward, but Chambers of Commerce were the watchdogs of commerce, and thentask was to force the issue in many matters. He congratulated the president on liis thoughtful address, and on his successful year of office. Mr G. H. Andrews said that the Chamber had been fighting the question of differential railway freights for some years, and it was gratifying to the Chamber to know that some success had at last been achieved. He thought the Minister of Railways was deserving of the best thanks of the Chamber and he moved: "That this Chamber expresses its appreciation io the Hon. D. G. Sullivan. Minister of Railways, for the new simplified railway tariff, which abolishes the unfair preferential or local rates and adopts the principle of a uniform mileage Mr Andrews ’ded that he had pone through the new tariffs, and practically everything the Chamber had asked for had been granted. The new rates would benefit Timaru. and. he thought, would also benefit the whole of the Dominion. Mr Fleming said that he though'

the Chamber should also express 'ts thanks to Mr Carr for the assistance he had given in the matter. ' 'he vote of thanks to Mr Carr was incorporated in the motion moved byMr Andrews. This was seconded by Mr W. S. Minehan and carried. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Election of Officer* As there was only me nomination for the position of president, that of Mr C. B. Marshall, he was declared elected. Mr Marshall thanked members for the honour conferred on him. He said that the Chamber was no* in for a quiet yea”, as each '.ear appeared to be becoming mere complex. No Association could be of much value unless it was *ru’ - representative. and he appealed to members to endeavour to bring in as many new members as possible, in order to -I'-rense the worth of their work during the year. Other officers elected were: Vicepresiden*. Mr W. S. Minehan; executive. Messrs G. H. Andrews, H. Gould, A. R. C ham, C. R. Hervey. J. M. Jenkins. C. M. Lagan. W. I. Tait. A. M. Taylor and C. E. Thomson; auditor. Mr A. C. Martin. Sun Bathing 'uelters A suggest-on was made by Mr G. F. Ward that the Borough Council and the Caroline Bay Associate should consider the provision of sun bathing enclosures, where people under doctors’ orders could obtain, in private, the full benefit fo the sun’s rays. The matter vas referred to the ’ coming executive for consideration.