REMOVAL OF WAR RESTRICTIONS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23215, 31 May 1945, Page 7

REMOVAL OF WAR RESTRICTIONS

Socialism Strangling Business Address At Chamber Of Commerce “We should endeavour to throw offsome of the strangleholds that Socialism has applied to business under the cloak of war necessity,” said Mr S. G. McClelland in his presidential address at the annual meeting of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce last evening. “In Great Britain, many of the more irritating controls have already been dropped. British people are free people. Freedom to conduct their own businesses in their own way is their first role of life. Through the fear of being considered unpatriotic, most New Zealanders have uncomplainingly allowed one after another of their liberties to be curtailed or taken away altogether,” said the speaker. “Nothing would be more welcome at this juncture than a straightout indication from the Government as to when .wartime controls will be modified. Up to the present, evasive answers or no answers have been given to inquiries. “We have made every effort to assist the establishment of new industries in South Canterbury. South Canterbury has much to offer Industry. Enormous potential electric power, water, ideal climate, a good harbour, and—most im-

portant of all—very few labour troubles. With few exceptions indeed, our workers do their best to give value for the money they receive. Employers are not harassed by pin-pricking tactics and trouble-making by local union officials. No Labour Trouble “Apart from one industry there has been practically no labour trouble in South Canterbury this year. In that case, the local men did not have much idea of what it was all about. Their instructions came from outside the district. A desire to be helpful to employers has been the rule with practically all the local union officials. Employees and their officials as a whole are as keenly interested in the welfare of South Canterbury as we are.

“Employment for our young people is what we must all strive for. New industries provide a partial answer at least to this pressing need. We cannot afford to have the best of our young people leaving our towns and district in order to gain advancement in life.

“In spite of all the sentiments expressed by those in authority regarding decentralisation of industry, there has, unfortunately, been little concrete evidence that towns outside the four main cities are likely to receive much encouragement,” Mr McClelland concluded.

Mr McClelland thanked the Council for its loyal support during his term of office. A tribute was paid to the retiring president for his valuable work and the acting-secretary, Miss M. S. Sofield, was commended for her services. Election of Officers Officers were elected as follows: President, Mr A. J. Parris; vice-presi-dents, Messrs P. W.. Young and S. G. McClelland; council, Messrs A. R. Graham, W. I. Tait, W. D. Olney, W. S. Minehan, E. R. Cuzens. C. E. Sendall, E. J. Preen, H. J. Dunn, and M. C. Gresson; auditor, Mr A. c. Martin.